Executive Order Number 09-20 (PDF, 204 KB)
Executive Order Creating the Illinois Human Services Commission
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Illinois and their communities depend upon these services to protect public health, create individual and family well-being, improve public safety, revitalize local economies, and enhance learning; and
WHEREAS, human services play a vital role in every community and legislative district across the state, providing jobs and revenue in addition to services and supports to children and youth, families, workers, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, a strong and well-managed network of public and private human services is integral to the achievement of other state goals in the areas of health and wellness, educational outcomes, workforce development, and an improved business climate; and
WHEREAS, a lack of adequate appropriations, clear goals, spending priorities, and measurable outcomes along with delays in payments, inadequate rates, duplicative reporting requirements, and other systemic barriers prevent private entities from achieving the goal of a strong and effective network of well managed public and private service providers; and
WHEREAS, the maintenance of a strong and well managed network of human services requires a joint planning process that brings together public and private experts in human services to identify best practices and strategies.
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, pursuant to the supreme executive authority of the Governor as set forth in Article V, Section 8 of the Illinois Constitution, do hereby order as follows:
- CREATION
There is hereby established the Illinois Human Services Commission (hereinafter “Commission”).
- PURPOSE
The Commission shall undertake a systematic review of human services programs with the goal of ensuring their consistent delivery in the State of Illinois.
- DUTIES
The Commission shall make recommendations for achieving a system that will provide for the efficient and effective delivery of high quality human services. These recommendations shall include the following elements:
- ensuring adequate appropriations for the provision of human services
- establishing processes for determining fair, adequate and timely reimbursement
- maintaining efficient management of publicly-funded programs and services
- implementing best practices within the human services field
- creating outcome measures and accountability mechanisms
- developing projections for future human services need based on demographic trends and other related variables
The Commission shall make best efforts to:
- Use existing reports, research, and planning efforts and call for additional reports and research to support its work.
- Seek input from existing advisory councils and task forces that address human service delivery as well as other human services experts and the public-at-large including one or more public hearings to take and consider public comment.
- Identify opportunities for increased efficiency and/or cross-agency collaboration regarding human services delivery.
- MEMBERSHIP
The Commission shall include representation from both public and private organizations, and its membership shall reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois citizens.
The Governor appoints all members of the Commission. The Commission will include the following:
- A co-chair from the Office of the Governor and a co-chair not employed by a governmental entity to represent the interests of non-governmental organizations;
- Eight members of the General Assembly representing each of the majority and minority caucuses of each chamber;
- The Directors or Secretaries of the following State agencies or their designees:
- Department of Human Services;
- Department of Children and Family Services;
- Department of Healthcare and Family Services;
- State Board of Education;
- Department on Aging;
- Department of Juvenile Justice;
- Department of Corrections;
- Department of Public Health;
- Local government stakeholders and nongovernmental stakeholders with an interest in human services, including representation among the following private-sector fields and constituencies:
- early childhood education and development;
- child care;
- child welfare;
- youth services;
- developmental disabilities;
- mental health;
- employment and training;
- sexual and domestic violence;
- alcohol and substance abuse;
- local community collaborations among human services programs;
- immigrant services;
- affordable housing;
- re-entry;
- food and nutrition;
- homelessness;
- older adults;
- physical disabilities;
- business;
- philanthropy;
- labor;
- and law enforcement.
Members shall serve for the duration of the Commission. In the event of a vacancy, the appointment to fill the vacancy shall be made by the Governor. The Commission shall convene within 60 days after the effective date of this Order. The initial meeting of the Commission shall be convened by the co-chair selected by the Governor. Subsequent meetings will convene at the call of the co-chairs. The Commission shall meet on a quarterly basis or more often, if necessary.
- REPORT
The Commission shall first report to the Governor and General Assembly on the Commission's progress towards its goals and objectives by June 30, 2010. Interim report dates include November 30, 2010, April 30, 2011 and a final report due no later than two years from enactment of this Commission. The Commission and the terms of its members shall expire upon delivery of the final report.
- TRANSPARENCY
In addition to whatever policies or procedures it may adopt, all operations of the Commission will be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.). This section shall not be construed so as to preclude other statutes from applying to the Commission and its activities.
- SAVINGS CLAUSE
Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any state or federal law.
- SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Executive Order is found invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
- EFFECTIVE DATE
This Executive Order shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
_______________________
Pat Quinn, Governor
Issued by Governor: November 22, 2009
Filed with Secretary of State: November 23, 2009