Public Act 93-0647
SB1523 Re-enrolled LRB093 11000 BDD 11648 b
AN ACT concerning the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Commission.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act
is amended by changing Sections 15, 20, 25, and 30 as
follows:
(20 ILCS 3932/15)
Sec. 15. Commission membership.
(a) The Commission shall be composed of 11 voting
members appointed by the Governor from residents of the State
whose position, knowledge, or experience enables them to
reasonably represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations
of deaf or hard of hearing persons. At a minimum, 6 voting
members of the Commission shall be persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be
elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority
vote of the total membership of the Commission. The
Vice-Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the
Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the
total membership of the Commission.
(b) The Governor shall consider nominations made by
advocacy groups for the deaf and hard of hearing and
community-based organizations.
(c) Of the initial members appointed by the Governor, 3
shall be appointed to terms of one year, 4 shall be appointed
to terms of 2 years, and 4 shall be appointed to terms of 3
years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for terms
of 3 years. No member shall serve more than 2 consecutive
terms. A member shall serve until his or her successor is
appointed and qualified.
(d) Initial members' terms of office shall be chosen by
lot at the initial meeting of the Commission.
(e) Vacancies in Commission membership shall be filled
in the same manner as initial appointments. Appointments to
fill vacancies occurring before the expiration of a term
shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(f) Members shall not receive compensation for their
services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties plus up to $50
per day for any actual loss of wages incurred in the
performance of their duties.
(g) Total membership consists of the number of voting
members, as defined in this Section, excluding any vacant
positions. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of
total membership and shall be sufficient to conduct the
transaction of business of the Commission unless stipulated
otherwise in the by-laws of the Commission.
(h) The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.
(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)
(20 ILCS 3932/20)
Sec. 20. Director. The Director of the Commission shall
be hired, supervised, evaluated, and terminated by the
Commission. The Director shall carry out the policies,
programs, and activities of the Commission. The Director
shall employ, in accordance with the provisions of the
Illinois Personnel Code, manage, and organize the staff of
the Commission as he or she deems appropriate.
(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)
(20 ILCS 3932/25)
Sec. 25. Powers and duties of the Commission. The
Commission shall be a coordinating and advocating body that
acts on behalf of the interests of persons in Illinois who
are deaf or hard of hearing, including children, adults,
senior citizens, and those with any additional disability.
The Commission shall submit an annual report of its
activities to the Governor and the General Assembly on
January 1st of each year. The Commission shall:
(1) Make available and provide an educational and
informational program through printed materials, workshop
and training sessions, presentations, demonstrations, and
public awareness events about hearing loss for citizens
in Illinois and for public and private entities. The
program shall include, but not be limited to, information
concerning information and referral services, lending
libraries, service and resource availability, the
interpreter registry, accessibility and accommodation
issues, assistive technology, empowerment issues,
obligations of service providers and employers,
educational options, and current federal and State
statutes, regulations, and policies regarding hearing
loss Develop a program to inform persons who are deaf or
hard of hearing and the public of the State and local
services available for the deaf and hard of hearing and
make available other information of value to families,
professionals, and citizens working or involved with
persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
(2) Cooperate with public and private agencies and
local, State, and federal governments to coordinate
programs for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
(3) Provide technical assistance, consultation, and
training support to start and enhance existing programs
and services for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
(4) Evaluate and monitor State programs delivering
services to deaf and hard of hearing persons to determine
their effectiveness; identify and promote new services or
programs whenever necessary; and make recommendations to
public officials about changes necessary to improve the
quality and delivery of services, programs, and
activities and about future financial support to continue
existing programs and establish new programs.
(5) Monitor State funded programs delivering
services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing to
determine the extent that promised and mandated services
are delivered.
(6) Review, evaluate, and participate in the
development of proposed and amended statutes, rules,
regulations, and policies relating to services, programs,
and activities for deaf and hard of hearing persons and
make recommendations on existing statutes, rules,
regulations, and policies to the Governor, General
Assembly, and State agencies Recommend legislative
changes to the Governor and General Assembly and follow
and evaluate laws affecting persons who are deaf or hard
of hearing.
(7) Promote cooperation among State and local
agencies providing educational programs for deaf and hard
of hearing individuals.
(8) Establish rules and regulations policy related
to evaluation, certification, licensure, and training
standards of sign language interpreters for deaf and hard
of hearing persons; monitor the courts' use of
interpreters provided from an approved list; and serve as
a resource by providing a listing of qualified
interpreters upon request to legislative bodies, public
and private agencies, and persons who are deaf and hard
of hearing.
(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)
(20 ILCS 3932/30)
Sec. 30. Rules and regulations. The Commission shall
promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act in
accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
Powers and duties of the Director. The Director of the
Commission shall carry out the policies and programs of the
Commission. The Director shall organize and administer the
staff of the Commission to meet the requirements of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)