HJ0033 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0033 LRB099 07349 MST 27461 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, African Americans represent 14.7% of the total population of Illinois residents; the unemployment rate for African Americans in Illinois is projected to be 13.5%, nearly double the rate for the total State population; and

WHEREAS, African Americans represent 9.5% of the ownership of total Illinois businesses; the total value of State contracts awarded to African American-owned businesses in 2013 was less than 1% of total Central Management Services spending; and

WHEREAS, Unemployment leads to a decline in communities, resulting in foreclosures, abandoned buildings, violence, depression, and poverty; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created a Fair Practices in Contracting Task Force to:

(1) thoroughly survey African American-owned business participation in State procurement;

(2) research solutions and methods to address the disparity in procurement awards; and

(3) produce a final report summarizing the task force's findings and detailing recommended statutory or constitutional strategies to recognize best practices; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members: 4 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, 2 of whom must be State Representatives, and 2 who are from Central Management Services, the Illinois Department of Transportation, or Illinois Health and Family Services; 4 members appointed by the President of the Senate, 2 of whom must be State Senators, and 2 who are from Central Management Services, the Illinois Department of Transportation, or Illinois Health and Family Services; and 4 members appointed by the Governor, all of whom must be from Central Management Services, the Illinois Department of Transportation, or Illinois Health and Family Services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force be appointed and hold its first meeting by March 1, 2015; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Central Management Services shall assist the Task Force and provide administrative support, but shall have no hand in guiding its direction or ascertaining its results; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet quarterly and report its findings to the General Assembly and its appropriate committees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the General Assembly and the Governor, no later than December 31, 2015.