HR0878 LRB094 19415 LJB 55318 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Research shows that individuals with
3 developmental disorders are 7 times more likely than other
4 people to come into contact with police and that their
5 responses to encounters with the law may not always be socially
6 appropriate; and
 
7     WHEREAS, When first responders are called to situations
8 involving individuals with disabilities at personal
9 residences, schools, residential facilities, and even shopping
10 malls, it is imperative that first responders are prepared to
11 quickly recognize the situation and address the risk management
12 issues for everyone; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Healthcare professionals in emergency rooms often
14 recognize an individual's disability but may not have the
15 training to best treat someone with a disability; and
 
16     WHEREAS, By providing first responder professionals with a
17 better understanding of hidden disabilities, such as autism
18 spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Tourette's syndrome,
19 epilepsy, mental impairment, deafness, and mental illness, a
20 better relationship between those servicing our communities
21 and all of the citizens they serve no matter what their needs
22 can be created; and
 
23     WHEREAS, There must be more training and communication
24 between direct service providers and public safety officers at
25 all levels of government to ensure the safety of individuals
26 who may or may not be able to effectively communicate their
27 needs in a manner that society traditionally demands;
28 therefore, be it
 
29     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
30 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

 

 

HR0878 - 2 - LRB094 19415 LJB 55318 r

1 we urge that a pilot program be established to promote
2 alliances between community service providers, facilities,
3 health care professionals, and local public safety officers and
4 to provide proper training to law enforcement, healthcare
5 professionals, and other first responders on how to properly
6 intervene in situations dealing with an individual with a
7 developmental disability or mental illness; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That we encourage the Department of Public
9 Health, the Department Human Services, and the Illinois State
10 Police along with the Autism Society of Illinois to act as
11 resource agencies and facilitate the pilot program by offering
12 existing personnel and resources to train law enforcement,
13 health care professionals, and first responders on how to best
14 deal with this special population; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
16 the Department of Public Health, the Department Human Services,
17 the Illinois State Police, and the Autism Society of Illinois.