§ 50-28 — Youth Budget Commission

(a) As used in this Section: "Adolescent" or "youth" means a person between the ages of 8 and 25 years. "Commission" means the Youth Budget Commission established under this Section. "Service models" include the following tiers of service delivered to adolescents and their families: (1) Prevention: support for at-risk youth (deterrence, prevention of harm, extra supports). (2) Treatment/intervention: respond to significant challenges in need of direct intervention to change, resolve or reverse behaviors, conditions, or both. (3) Corrective/rehabilitation: correct or rehabilitate acute behaviors or conditions that pose a physical or psychological danger or threat to adolescents. (4) Positive Youth Development: build individual assets and increase competencies. "Youth developmental goals" are defined as the outcomes of stable, safe, healthy, educated, employable, and connected, which align with the following Budgeting for Results goals: (1) Stable: meeting the needs of the most vulnerable; increasing individual and family stability and self-sufficiency. (2) Safe: creating safer communities. (3) Healthy: improving the overall health of Illinoisans. (4) Educated: improving school readiness and student success for all. (5) Employable: increasing employment and attracting, retaining and growing businesses. (6) Connected: strengthening cultural and environmental vitality. (b) Subject to appropriation, the Governor shall establish the Youth Budget Commission with the goal of producing an annual fiscal scan. The fiscal scan, under the direction of the Commission, shall be used to advise the Governor and General Assembly, as well as State agencies, on ways to improve and expand existing policies, services, programs, and opportunities for adolescents. The Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall post a link to the fiscal scan on its website. For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commission established under this Section, shall complete an analysis of enacted State budget items which directly impact adolescents. This analysis will categorize budget items by the 6 identified youth developmental goals and 4 service models. The analysis will include State agency expenditures associated with these categories. General State Aid and federal funds such as Medicaid will be excluded from the analysis. The Commission shall also be responsible for: (1) monitoring and commenting on existing and proposed legislation and programs designed to address the needs of adolescents; (2) assisting State agencies in developing programs, services, public policies, and research strategies that will expand and enhance the well-being of adolescents; (3) facilitating the participation of and representation of adolescents in the development, implementation, and planning of policies, programs, and community-based services; and (4) promoting research efforts to document the impact of policies and programs on adolescents. (c) The Commission shall collaborate with State agencies, including the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, the Illinois Community College Board, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Department of Military Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council, the Department of Corrections, the Board of Higher Education, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Department on Aging, and others. (d) The Commission shall be comprised of 15 members appointed by the Governor. Each member shall have a working knowledge of youth development, human services, and economic public policy in Illinois. One chairperson shall be a representative of a statewide nonprofit children and family services organization who has previously completed a similar analysis of the Illinois State budget. The other chairperson shall be a member of the General Assembly. Of the remaining members: (1) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of low-income youth; (2) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth of color; (3) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth who are immigrants or are children of immigrants; (4) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth who identify as LGBTQ, gender non-conforming, or both; (5) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth who are disconnected from traditional educational systems; (6) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth who are experiencing homelessness; and (7) at least one member representing an organization that has expertise in the needs of youth and young adults involved with the justice system. Commission members shall reflect regional representation to ensure that the needs of adolescents throughout the State of Illinois are met. Members will serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for Commission-related expenses. Of the initial members appointed under this Section: 5 members shall serve for a 3-year term; 5 members shall serve for a 4-year term; and 5 members shall serve for a 5-year term. Their successors shall serve for 5-year terms. (e) The Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall provide administrative support to the Commission.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 100-818, eff. 8-13-18.)