SJ0115 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0115 LRB096 21464 KTG 38017 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State's population of persons 50 years of age and older is projected to increase from 3.2 million in 2000 to 5.3 million by 2030, an increase of 63%, with a corresponding increase in the number of Illinois' retirees; and

WHEREAS, Civic engagement, including lifelong learning, service, and volunteer work, has been found to bring personal fulfillment, improved physical and mental health, and stronger social connections for retirees; and

WHEREAS, Improved physical and mental health for Illinois retirees and the aged will lessen the strains inherent to the public healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, Since the l960s, the policy agenda around aging has focused almost exclusively on the dependency needs of elders, not on their potential as a community resource; and

WHEREAS, There is an ongoing high school dropout epidemic in this State; and each year almost one-third of all public high school students, including nearly one half of all African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, fail to graduate from public high school; and

WHEREAS, A 2009 study at Washington University in St. Louis found that children at risk of dropping out dramatically increased their reading skills when they were tutored by older adults, and the older adults experienced positive health benefits through the civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Two factors will have a significant impact on the Illinois economy and predict future prosperity, the first is the cost of health care, particularly for older Illinoisans, the second is the educational level of the working population; a statewide effort to connect aging and education has implications for benefits to every community and for policy throughout the State; schools have resources and facilities to help with promotion; and older adults have great potential to help dropouts and students who are our future workforce; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that it is in the interest of the citizens of this State to develop Illinois' growing retiree population as a resource for mobilizing citizens of all ages and addressing community needs across generations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Interdependence of Generations Task Force be created; and that the Task Force shall be comprised of the following appointments: the Director of the Illinois Department on Aging or his or her designee, who shall also serve as Chairperson; one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; the following members from the Illinois Policy Academy on the Civic Engagement of Older Adults: (i) one representative of P-12 education; (ii) one representative of community colleges; (iii) one representative of higher education; (iv) 2 representatives of retirees; (v) 2 student members; (vi) 2 representatives of statewide aging organizations; (vii) 2 representatives of service organizations; (viii) 2 representatives of foundations; and (ix) 2 representatives of business; and a representative of the Center for Health Law and Policy, appointed by the Dean of the Law School of Southern Illinois University; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall serve voluntarily and without compensation; and persons with disabilities serving on the Task Force shall be accommodated to enable them to fully participate in Task Force activities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Center for Health Law and Policy, at the Southern Illinois University School of Law, shall have primary responsibility for, and shall provide staffing and technical assistance and administrative support to, the Task Force in its efforts; and that no appropriations shall be required for the Task Force to complete its duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall coordinate its work with existing State advisory bodies whose work may include improving education, reducing the dropout rate, and civic engagement of retirees and the aged; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on the Interdependence of Generations shall be convened to study and make recommendations regarding the creative ways that aging (retiree organizations, organizations that serve older adults, and older adults themselves), education (schools, community colleges, and universities), and other public and private organizations can work together to address the challenges of education, tap the resources of older adults and students to strengthen the economy and benefit the community, and promote healthy lifestyles for all ages; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall make recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Governor, including legislative proposals, regulatory changes, systems changes, budget initiatives, and collaborative partnerships in the public and private sectors, that will promote the statewide effort to connect the aging population with opportunities for lifelong learning, employment, and service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That these recommendations shall explain how fostering the relationship between older adults and education, economic development, and community service can be beneficial to all Illinoisans; and the Task Force shall conduct hearings and meetings in order to produce a report of its activities and recommendations that shall be issued no later than December 31, 2010.