HB3981eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3981 Engrossed LRB099 07376 KTG 31766 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Human Services Reorganization Commission Act.

Section 5. Legislative findings.

(1) The economic well-being of Illinois families is supported by temporary subsistence programs, income supports to support those seeking training or who are working, quality early childhood services, education to develop workforce skills, economic development, job training, health supports, higher education, increased financial capability, asset building, and employers who provide jobs, including micro, small, and large employers.

(2) The State of Illinois depends upon public and private service providers to deliver many critical human services necessary to protect and enhance the welfare of its citizens, including its most vulnerable populations. Many of these traditional services are best delivered as part of the health care or public health systems.

(3) The citizens of Illinois and their communities depend upon the array of economic well-being services to address the social determinants of poor health and to protect public health, to support individual and family well-being, to improve public safety, to revitalize local economies, and to enhance learning to better develop the workforce of the future.

(4) Human services, child support services, public health services, services to the elderly, and financial supports play a vital role in every community and legislative district across the State, making economic stability a reality for families with or without children, youth, refugee and immigrant workers, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

(5) In the 21st Century, integrated services will address needs, support families, and help families build their own economic security as part of the workforce moving to the new middle class.

(6) In the 21st Century, Illinois will need to reconfigure State government and focus on the individuals being served by delivering services across program silos to address the food, housing, and economic insecurity of a household or of a family and to transition them to achieve their potential and to have economic stability.

Section 10. Commission created; duties. The 21st Century Human Services Reorganization Commission is created to review all human services and economic support programs provided by the State and to make recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly on how to reorganize and simplify human services in order to (i) integrate those services in a cost-effective manner, (ii) streamline government, (iii) reduce redundant applications, and (iv) cross program silos and deliver these services when needed to achieve measurable income, security, economic stability, and asset building outcomes. These recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, the following matters:

(1) Maintaining compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and rules and any applicable court orders.

(2) Providing strength-based, integrated services to Illinois residents with measurable results.

(3) Exploring the best ways to develop support for economic stability and for the reduction in asset poverty among Illinois residents.

(4) Fostering economic upward mobility with public expenditures and policy.

(5) Consolidating State programs or coordinating the delivery of services, including services provided from other agencies.

(6) Exploring the transformation of the State's health care services as a result of Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and legislative efforts to reform the State's health care system.

The Commission shall consult with social service agencies, local government, health providers, and the program administrators of all affected programs. The Commission shall hold at least 5 public hearings: one in the City of Chicago, one in Dupage County, one in Southern Illinois, one in Central Illinois, and one in Western Illinois.

Section 15. Membership and appointments.

(a) The Commission shall include members from both public and private organizations, and its membership shall reflect the regional, racial, and cultural diversity of the State to ensure the needs of all Illinois residents are represented.

(b) The Commission shall include the following members appointed as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) three members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) three members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(5) eight other members appointed by the Governor.

(c) The Governor's appointments shall include, without limitation, the following:

(1) a co-chair from the Office of the Governor;

(2) a co-chair not employed by the State of Illinois who is knowledgeable about government services, including the services delivered on behalf of the State by non-governmental organizations.

(d) The Directors or Secretaries of the following State agencies, or their designees, shall all serve as ex-officio, non-voting members:

(1) The Department of Human Services.

(2) The Department of Children and Family Services.

(3) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(4) The Illinois Community College Board.

(5) The Department of Employment Security.

(6) The Department on Aging.

(7) The Department of Juvenile Justice.

(8) The Department of Corrections.

(9) The Department of Public Health.

(10) The Board of Education.

(11) The Department of Veterans' Affairs.

(e) Members appointed to the Commission shall include stakeholders with an interest in human services, public health, economic development, business, and asset building, and shall include representatives of the following private-sector fields and constituencies:

(1) Early childhood education and development.

(2) Child welfare and youth services.

(3) Child support.

(4) Developmental disabilities.

(5) Mental health and substance abuse.

(6) Employment and training for youth, the unemployed, and the underemployed.

(7) Refugee resettlement.

(8) Food insecurity and SNAP outreach.

(9) Civil rights.

(10) Seniors.

(11) Asset building.

(12) Economic development.

(13) Micro-enterprise.

(14) Small business.

(15) Philanthropy.

(16) Income supports.

(f) Members shall serve without compensation; however, to the extent funds are available, they shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission.

(g) Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(h) Appointments shall be based on the expertise of the appointee and not on organizational or institutional affiliation.

Section 20. Meetings.

(a) The Commission shall convene once after at least 11 members have been appointed. Meetings shall be held with the required frequency, but not less than quarterly.

(b) The Commission may establish committees, however the committees shall not be authorized to participate in any Commission action but shall present their findings and recommendations to the Commission.

(c) The Commission is authorized to conduct business over conference telephone or computer voice or video calling or its equivalent. Commission members attending via electronic communications shall count towards determining a quorum and shall vote or otherwise participate.

Section 25. Administrative support. The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support to the Commission.

Section 30. Report. The Commission shall report to the Governor and to the General Assembly on its findings and recommendations by January 5, 2017.