Reducing the Disproportionate Representation of African-American Children in Foster Care, Advisory Commission on
Board and Commission Details
Contact Name
Kara Hamilton
Contact Title
Department of Children and Family Services
Function
The Advisory Commission shall be a coordinating and advocating body that acts on behalf of the interests of African-American children who are at risk of placement within the State's child welfare system. The Advisory Commission shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly, as well as work directly with State agencies, to identify those causes and factors that contribute to the overrepresentation of African-American children in foster care. In addition, the Advisory Commission shall collaborate with State agencies and other social services organizations to develop effective strategies, policies, services, and programs that are aimed at providing African-American children and their families with the resources and preventive services they need to stay out of foster care and the child welfare system generally. The Advisory Commission shall also assist in the development of child welfare policies and practices that advance more equitable outcomes for African-American children and their families who have contact with the Department of Children and Family Services.
Senate Confirmation
No
Qualifications
Each member appointed to the Commission shall have a working knowledge of Illinois' child welfare system. The members shall reflect regional representation to ensure that the needs of African-American families and children throughout the State of Illinois are met
Compensation
Expenses
Composition
(1) One member appointed by the Governor or his of her designee. (2) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or his or her designee. (3) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or his or her designee. (4) One member appointed by the President of the Senate or his or her designee. (5) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate or his or her designee. (6) The Department on Aging, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Department of Human Rights, the Capital Development Board, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Labor shall each appoint a liaison to serve ex officio on the Commission. (7) One member from the Task Force on Strengthening Child Welfare Workforce for Children and Families. (8) One member from the Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol Advisory Committee. (9) Two members representing nonprofit organizations that advocate for African-American children or youth to be appointed by the Governor or his or her designee.
Chair
The Governor or his or her designee shall appoint the chairperson or chairpersons.
Authority
20 ILCS 4104
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowden, Timothy | 07/08/2022 | Governor | Member, Chair | Member appointed by Governor or designee | |||
| Flowers, Rep. Mary | 08/23/2021 | Speaker of the House of Representatives | Member | Member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or designee | |||
| McCombie, Rep. Tony | 01/20/2022 | Minority Leader of the House of Representatives | Member | Member appointed by Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or designee | |||
| Harris, Sen. Napoleon | 01/11/2023 | 05/24/2022 | President of the Senate | Member | Member appointed by the President of the Senate or designee | ||
| Turner, Rachel | Minority Leader of the Senate | Member | Member appointed by Minority Leader of the Senate or designee | ||||
| Woffard, Chrystal | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Aging | ||||
| Brown, Dagene | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Children and Family Services | ||||
| Law, Latanya | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Human Services | ||||
| Byrd-Williamson, Latonia | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Juvenile Justice | ||||
| McCall, Tiana | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | ||||
| Ford, Tanya | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Healthcare and Family Services | ||||
| Clark, Heidi | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Public Health | ||||
| Ward, Dr. Leslie | Statute | Ex officio | State Board of Education | ||||
| Shaver, Michelle | Statute | Ex officio | Board of Higher Education | ||||
| Washington, Janelle | Statute | Ex officio | Illinois Community College Board | ||||
| Hudson, Pam | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Human Rights | ||||
| Dompke, Abby | Statute | Ex officio | Capital Development Board | ||||
| Mendoza, Margarita | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Corrections | ||||
| O'Leary, Dana | Statute | Ex officio | Department of Labor | ||||
| Murray, Denice | Statute | Member | Task Force on Strengthening Child Welfare Workforce for Children and Families | ||||
| Fuller, Dr. Tamara | Statute | Member | Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol Advisory Committee | ||||
| Montorio-Archer, Charles | 06/10/2022 | Governor | Member | Representing nonprofit organizations that advocate for African-American children or youth | |||
| Roberson-Guifarro, LaTasha | 09/26/2022 | Governor | Member | Representing nonprofit organizations that advocate for African-American children or youth |