HJ0046

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Freedom from poverty is a basic human right; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Full participation in civic life cannot be 
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achieved without the things that protect and preserve human 
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dignity and make for a healthy life, including adequate 
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nutrition and housing, meaningful work, safe communities, 
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health care, and education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Preamble to the Constitution of the State of 
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Illinois provides that the elimination of poverty is one of the 
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fundamental goals of our State Government; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Human Rights Act provides that the 
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public policy of the State of Illinois is "to promote the 
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public health, welfare and safety by protecting the interest of 
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all people in Illinois in maintaining personal dignity, in 
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realizing their full productive capacities, and in furthering 
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their interests, rights and privileges as citizens of this 
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State"; and

 
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    WHEREAS,  Persons living in extreme poverty have incomes of 
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50% or less of the federal poverty level, which is $10,310 or 
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less for a family of 4; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, In 2006 over 681,000 individuals residing in 
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Illinois were living in extreme poverty; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Extreme poverty exists in every county in 
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Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois is one of the wealthiest states in the 
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United States, yet has one of the highest rates of extreme 
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poverty in the midwest; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois has no comprehensive plan for the 
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elimination of extreme poverty; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Office of the Lieutenant Governor has agreed 
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to facilitate a series of 10 public hearings in defined 
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geographic areas throughout the State beginning in June, 2007, 
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aimed at documenting both the experiences of those living in 
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extreme poverty and their ideas for eradicating extreme poverty 
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in Illinois with the objective of creating a poverty 
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eradication strategy that initially will halve the number of 
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people living in extreme poverty in Illinois by the year 2015 
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and reduce overall poverty in Illinois; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the General Assembly applauds 
 


 






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the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for agreeing to 
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facilitate public hearings on the critical issue of extreme 
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poverty in Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That members of the General Assembly are urged to 
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attend and participate in the public hearings covering their 
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respective legislative or representative districts; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That local stakeholders, including governmental 
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officials, are encouraged to attend the hearings; and be it 
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further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the Office of the Lieutenant Governor shall 
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prepare and deliver a report of findings and recommendations 
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based on information collected at the public hearings to the 
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General Assembly and to the Governor no later than January 15, 
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2008; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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transmitted to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.