HB3988 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 17224 KMF 22684 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3988

Introduced 3/4/2021, by Rep. Kambium Buckner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Act. Creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women. Provides for the composition of the Task Force and its appointment and meetings. Provides that the Task Force must examine and report on the following: (1) the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience, including patterns and underlying factors that explain why disproportionately high levels of violence occur against Chicago women and girls, including underlying historical, social, economic, institutional, and cultural factors that may contribute to the violence; (2) appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and girls, including data on missing and murdered Chicago women and girls; (3) policies and institutions such as policing, child welfare, medical examiner practices, and other governmental practices that impact violence against Chicago women and girls and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-related violence against Chicago residents; (4) measures necessary to address and reduce violence against Chicago women and girls; and (5) measures to help victims, victims' families, and victims' communities prevent and heal from violence that occurs against Chicago women and girls. Provides that the Task Force shall report annually to the General Assembly and the Governor on the work of the Task Force.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning missing and murdered Chicago women.

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 Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Director" means the Director of the Illinois State Police.

"Nongovernmental organization" means a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that provides legal, social, or other community services.

"Task Force" means the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women.

Section 10. Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women.

(a) The Director of the Illinois State Police, in consultation with the Chicago Police Superintendent, shall appoint the non-legislative members to the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women to advise the Director and the Chicago Police Superintendent and to report to the General Assembly on recommendations to reduce and end violence against Chicago women and girls. The Task Force may also serve as a liaison between the Director, the Chicago Police Superintendent, and agencies and nongovernmental organizations that provide services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities. Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may, subject to appropriation, receive reimbursement for their expenses as members of the Task Force.

(b) There is created the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which shall consist of the following individuals, or their designees, who are knowledgeable in crime victims' rights or violence protection and, unless otherwise specified, members shall be appointed for 2-year terms as follows:

(1) Two members of the Senate, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(3) Two members from among the following appointed by the Director:

(A) an association representing Illinois chiefs of police;

(B) an association representing Illinois sheriffs;

(C) an officer who is employed by the Illinois State Police; or

(D) an Illinois peace officer's association.

(4) One or more representatives from among the following:

(A) an association representing State's Attorneys;

(B) an attorney representing the United States Attorney's Office in Chicago; or

(C) a circuit judge, associate judge, or attorney working in juvenile court;

(D) the Cook County Medical Examiner, or his or her designee, or a representative from a statewide coroner's or medical examiner's association or a representative of the Department of Public Health;

(5) Two representatives for victims, with a focus on individuals who work with victims of violence or their families appointed by the Director; and

(6) Four or more members from among the following appointed by the Director:

(A) a statewide or local organization that provides legal services to Chicago women and girls;

(B) a statewide or local organization that provides advocacy or counseling for Chicago women and girls who have been victims of violence;

(C) a statewide or local organization that provides healthcare services to Chicago women and girls;

(D) a statewide organization that represents women and girls who have been sexually assaulted;

(E) a women's health organization or agency; or

(F) a Chicago woman who is a survivor of gender-related violence.

(c) Vacancies in Director-appointed positions shall be filled by the Director consistent with the qualifications of the vacating member required by this Section.

(d) Task Force members shall annually elect a chair and vice-chair from among the Task Force's members, and may elect other officers as necessary. The Task Force shall meet at least quarterly, or upon the call of its chair, and may hold meetings throughout the City of Chicago. The Task Force shall meet frequently enough to accomplish the tasks identified in this Section. Meetings of the Task Force are subject to the Open Meetings Act. The Task Force shall seek out and enlist the cooperation and assistance of nongovernmental organizations, community, and advocacy organizations working with the Chicago community, and academic researchers and experts, specifically those specializing in violence against Chicago women and girls, representing diverse communities disproportionately affected by violence against women and girls, or focusing on issues related to gender-related violence and violence against Chicago women and girls.

(e) The Director shall convene the first meeting of the Task Force no later than 30 days after the appointment of a majority of the members of the Task Force. The Illinois State Police shall provide meeting space and administrative assistance as necessary for the Task Force to conduct its work.

(f) The Task Force must examine and report on the following:

(1) the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience, including patterns and underlying factors that explain why disproportionately high levels of violence occur against Chicago women and girls, including underlying historical, social, economic, institutional, and cultural factors that may contribute to the violence;

(2) appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and girls, including data on missing and murdered Chicago women and girls;

(3) policies and institutions such as policing, child welfare, medical examiner practices, and other governmental practices that impact violence against Chicago women and girls and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-related violence against Chicago residents;

(4) measures necessary to address and reduce violence against Chicago women and girls; and

(5) measures to help victims, victims' families, and victims' communities prevent and heal from violence that occurs against Chicago women and girls.

(g) The Task Force shall report on or before December 31 of 2021, and on or before December 31 of each year thereafter, to the General Assembly and the Governor on the work of the Task Force, including but not limited to, the issues to be examined in subsection (g), and shall include in the annual report recommendations regarding institutional policies and practices or proposed institutional policies and practices that are effective in reducing gender-related violence and increasing the safety of Chicago women and girls. The report shall include recommendations to reduce and end violence against Chicago women and girls and help victims and communities heal from gender-related violence and violence against Chicago women and girls.