Public Act 0222 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2418 Enrolled LRB104 09422 SPS 19482 b

Public Act 104-0222

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Commission on Youth Sports Act.

Section 5. Commission on Youth Sports; purpose; duties.

(a) The Commission on Youth Sports is created.

(b) The purpose of the Commission is to gather and evaluate community feedback and make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services concerning the following:

(1) the creation of equitable, safe, and sustainable access for youth across this State to participate in sports that meet their skills and match their interests;

(2) the expansion and integration of positive youth development in youth sports; and

(3) the promotion, development, expansion, hosting, and fostering of youth sports, youth sports programs, and youth sporting events and tournaments throughout this State.

(c) The recommendations made by the Commission shall focus generally on the creation, promotion, and encouragement of sports-based youth development. The recommendations reported by the Commission to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following objectives:

(1) to support workshops, trainings, and conferences that promote positive youth development through sport;

(2) to connect public, private, local, and State entities to generate funding for youth sports programs and to facilitate the communication of information statewide about youth sports programs and events;

(3) to promote the equitable participation of community youth sports programs;

(4) to encourage the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in youth sports and youth sports programs; and

(5) to encourage the inclusion and participation of persons from historically disadvantaged communities in youth sports and youth sports programs.

Section 10. Membership.

(a) The Commission shall include the following members:

(1) one or more member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, subject to the provisions of subsection (b);

(2) one or more member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, subject to the provisions of subsection (b);

(3) one or more member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, subject to the provisions of subsection (b);

(4) one or more member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, subject to the provisions of subsection (b);

(5) one member appointed by the Governor representing the Governor's Office; and

(6) the following members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(A) 2 people with experience running or coaching a nonprofit organization whose mission is to leverage sport for youth development;

(B) 2 people with experience in the development of policies or the funding or evaluation of programs that elevate underserved youth;

(C) one person with experience in adaptive sports programming;

(D) one person with experience coaching or administering youth sports programs for one or more school sports teams or sports club;

(E) one person who is a parent or caregiver of a child who participates in sports programming;

(F) one person with experience training coaches in positive youth development; and

(G) one representative of a school athletic association in this State or a physical education teacher.

(b) More than 4 members of the General Assembly may be appointed to serve on the Commission if the number of members appointed at any time, except in the case of a vacancy, equally represent the majority and minority caucus of each chamber.

(c) The Governor shall select the chairperson of the Commission from among the appointed members.

Section 15. Terms; meetings; support; expenses.

(a) Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for a 2-year term and until the member's successor is appointed. The Governor may stagger the members' terms to ensure continuity in the performance of the Commission's responsibilities.

(b) The Commission shall meet initially no later than 90 days after all of the members of the Commission listed in subsection (a) of Section 10 are appointed, and at least quarterly thereafter, at the times and places in this State that the Commission designates.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission. The Department may designate a third party to provide administrative support in a paid or volunteer capacity. The Department may delay the implementation of this subsection if the Department is unable to find a third party to provide administrative support to the Commission.

(d) Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their participation, but, subject to appropriation, may be reimbursed by the Department of Human Services for expenses in connection with their participation, including travel, subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board.

Section 20. Reporting. The Commission shall submit a report of its findings, research, and recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services on or before December 31, 2025, and each year thereafter.

Section 90. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 31, 2028.

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

Effective Date: 8/15/2025