HR0175 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The month of April is designated nationally and internationally as Autism Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) affect a growing number of Illinois residents and their families; and

WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of ASDs has increased from 1 in 150 just a few years ago to 1 in 88 today; and

WHEREAS, Based on these figures, more than 30,000 school age children in Illinois have an Autism Spectrum Disorder; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, to improve our State's response to autism, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 93-395, creating The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP); and

WHEREAS, TAP brings together universities and nonprofit organizations from across Illinois to implement a system of care for those with an ASD; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 10 years, TAP has grown and developed into the largest statewide autism resource and service network in the nation; and

WHEREAS, TAP currently operates centers or other programs in partnership with the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign, the University of Illinois - Chicago, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Easter Seals Rockford, Easter Seals Peoria/Bloomington, RCADD - Chicago, Trinity Services, Kreider Services, the Charleston Transitional Facility, UCP Heartland, FASTT - Maryville, Little Friends, Inc., Have Dreams, and the Hope Institute; and

WHEREAS, TAP has provided direct services to more than 7,000 Illinois families and trained more than 61,000 family members, educators, health care providers, day care providers, and first responders; and

WHEREAS, The TAP service model has been validated by researchers at Baylor University; many major national organizations have sought partnership with TAP; and

WHEREAS, Despite TAP's many accomplishments, there remains much unmet need, with more work to be done in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of TAP and its many partners on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and pledge our continuing support to Illinois families impacted by autism.