Public Act 095-0425
 
SB1047 Enrolled LRB095 05948 AJO 26040 b

    AN ACT concerning human rights.
 
    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
Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes Act.
 
    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds as follows:
        (1) The population and demographic makeup of the State
    of Illinois make the appreciation, tolerance, and
    acceptance of diverse cultures imperative.
        (2) No person or group of people should have to live in
    fear because of their race, ethnicity, culture, sexual
    orientation, or religious beliefs.
        (3) The manifestation of discrimination in the form of
    violence has a negative impact not only on the victim, but
    also his or her community, and can have a lasting adverse
    effect on our society.
        (4) Stereotypical thinking and biases still plague our
    society.
        (5) Illinois has a strong tradition of combating
    discrimination and hate-based violence by statutorily
    addressing crimes such as aggravated battery, theft,
    criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and telephone
    harassment committed because of the victim's race, color,
    creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, or
    disability.
        (6) We must continue to work to build a society that is
    bias and hate free so that our children are protected
    against discrimination, punishment, and violence that are
    based on race, ethnicity, color, creed, religious belief,
    sexual orientation, or social status.
 
    Section 10. Establishment of Commission.
    (a) The Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes is
established. The Commission shall consist of a chairperson and
20 additional members appointed by the Governor with the advice
and consent of the Senate. The membership may include, but is
not limited to, persons who are active in and knowledgeable
about the areas of law enforcement, the criminal and civil
justice systems, education, human rights, business and
industry, arts and culture, social services, and religion.
Terms of the members shall be staggered so that 10 of the
initial members shall serve until March 1, 2009, 10 of the
initial members and the initial chairperson shall serve until
March 1, 2011, and thereafter each member shall serve for a
term of 4 years. Members shall serve until their successors are
appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the
Council shall be filled by the Governor with the advice and
consent of the Senate for the unexpired term. Members shall
serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses.
    (b) The Commission shall be provided assistance and
necessary staff support services by the agencies of State
government involved in the issues to be addressed by it.
 
    Section 15. Purposes of Commission. The purposes of the
Commission include, but are not limited to, the following:
        (1) To work in partnership with community leaders,
    educators, religious leaders, social service agencies,
    elected officials, and the public to identify and uproot
    sources of discrimination and bias at the source.
        (2) To work with local governments, law enforcement
    officials and prosecutors, educators, and community
    organizations by assisting with the development of
    resources, training, and information that allow for a swift
    and efficient response to hate-motivated crimes and
    incidents.
        (3) To work with educators throughout Illinois on
    issues concerning discrimination and hate, teaching
    acceptance, and embracing diversity at academic
    institutions.
        (4) To help ensure that this State's laws addressing
    discrimination and hate-related violence are widely known
    and applied correctly to help eradicate and prevent crimes
    based on discrimination and intolerance.
        (5) To make recommendations to the Governor and the
    General Assembly for statutory and programmatic changes
    necessary to eliminate discrimination and hate-based
    violence.
        (6) To help implement recommendations by working with
    State agencies, the General Assembly, the business
    community, the social service community, and other
    organizations.
 
    Section 20. Annual report. The Commission shall submit a
report to the Governor and the General Assembly by March 30 of
each year.
 
    Section 25. Other laws. Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to contravene any federal law or any other State law.
 
    Section 30. Effect on Executive Order. This Act supersedes
Executive Order No. 8 (2005).
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.