HB4559 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 16434 AWJ 31562 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4559

Introduced , by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new
65 ILCS 5/1-2-12.2 new

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may apply to the Department of Human Services for an Accessible Community designation for the municipality if the municipality shows it (1) has an accessibility committee or accessibility taskforce organized and operating; (2) has a website that meets specified accessibility standards for electronic and information technology; (3) provides training to its first responders regarding how to interact with a person with a disability; (4) provides public buildings that are accessible to persons with disabilities; (5) provides accessible public transportation; (6) provides affordable housing accessible to persons with disabilities or establishes regulations for the design, installation, and construction of single family and attached single family homes accessible to persons with disabilities; and (7) has at least one person with a disability on staff. Lists procedures for review of applications and awarding the Accessible Community designation by the Department. Provides that the Accessible Community designation expires 5 years after the date the Department awards the designation. Provides for procedures for reapplying for the Accessible Community designation after denial of an application or expiration of the designation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act making conforming changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-75 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new)

Sec. 10-75. Accessible Community designation. The Department shall award Accessible Community designations and adopt rules outlining the framework for awarding Accessible Community designations consistent with Section 1-2-12.2 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Section 10. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by adding Section 1-2-12.2 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/1-2-12.2 new)

Sec. 1-2-12.2. Accessible Community designation.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Centers for independent living" has the meaning given to that term in Section 12a of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

(b) The corporate authorities of a municipality may apply to the Department for an Accessible Community designation for the municipality. The application shall provide documentation showing the municipality:

(1) has an accessibility committee or accessibility task force organized and operating;

(2) has a website that meets the accessibility standards for electronic and information technology for State entities developed by the Department under the Information Technology Accessibility Act;

(3) provides training to its first responders regarding how to interact with a person with a disability;

(4) provides public buildings that are accessible to persons with disabilities;

(5) provides accessible public transportation;

(6) provides affordable housing accessible to persons with disabilities or establishes regulations for the design, installation, and construction of single family and attached single family homes accessible to persons with disabilities; and

(7) has at least one person with a disability on staff.

The Department shall evaluate every application received by the Department and shall consult with one or more centers for independent living with a service area located within the municipality as to whether the application meets the requirements of this Section. If the Department rejects an application for an Accessible Community designation, the municipality may reapply for the designation no earlier than 6 months after the denied application's date.

(c) If the Department finds that a municipality's application documents the items required by subsection (b), the Department shall award the municipality the Accessible Community designation and issue a certificate evidencing the designation. The Department may designate one or more centers for independent living with a service area located within the municipality to present a certificate certifying the Accessible Community designation to the municipality.

(d) The Accessible Community designation expires 5 years after the date the Department awards the designation. No earlier than 6 months before the designation expires, the corporate authorities of a municipality that has been awarded an Accessible Community designation may reapply for the Accessible Community designation as provided in subsection (b).

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.