SR1076 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1076 LRB100 15515 JWD 30551 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In recent weeks more than 300 legislators, lobbyists, staffers, and policy-makers have signed an open letter acknowledging and condemning the culture of sexual harassment in Illinois politics and government; and

WHEREAS, The problem of sexual harassment extends far beyond government to limit women's professional and educational opportunities in virtually every arena, with recent reports of rampant sexual harassment in entertainment, the media, technology, academia, and more; and

WHEREAS, Sexual harassment imposes steep psychological, physical, and economic costs on victims, which have the effect of reducing women's economic opportunities and lifetime wages, driving women from the workplace, and discouraging women from public service; and

WHEREAS, Sexual harassment also imposes costs on the economy, businesses, and employers by causing decreased productivity, increased job turnover, reputational harm, and costly litigation; and

WHEREAS, Sexual harassment takes a toll not just on women but is also frequently directed toward men or can take the form of harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and

WHEREAS, Sexual harassment is too often combined with and exacerbated by harassment or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, or age, and therefore requires an intersectional approach; and

WHEREAS, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found that roughly three out of four people who experience harassment never report it because those who do report encounter disbelief, inaction, blame, or social or professional retaliation; and

WHEREAS, For too long Illinois has not provided victims of harassment with adequate recourse, allowing this culture of sexual harassment to go largely unchecked; and

WHEREAS, The members of the General Assembly recognize it is critical that this conversation continue in a productive and meaningful manner and that appropriate changes be made to maximize legal remedies and protections for those victimized by sexual discrimination and harassment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is hereby created the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall conduct a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment, in both the public and private sectors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall study and make recommendations on combating sexual discrimination and harassment in Illinois, including in workplaces, in educational institutions, and in State and local government; and be it further

RESOLVED, That within 10 days after the adoption of this resolution, members of the Task Force shall be appointed as follows:

(1) five legislative members appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of the caucus appointing them;

(2) five legislative members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, who shall reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of the caucus appointing them;

(3) two members from a Statewide association representing women or working to advance civil rights, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) two members from a Statewide association representing women or working to advance civil rights, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) five members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(6) five members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That 2 co-chairpersons, representing different political parties, shall be selected by the members of the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That meetings of the Task Force shall be held as necessary to complete the duties of the Task Force and that the Task Force shall hold its initial meeting no later than December 15, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall permit any interested member of the Senate or private citizen to participate in meetings and provide ideas, thoughts, and recommendations; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Task Force shall work in conjunction with any task force created by the House of Representatives for a similar purpose, and that both entities shall aspire to produce legislation to address the concerns and issues presented to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the legislative caucuses shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for serving; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall study and make recommendations regarding:

(1) best practices for preventing and responding to sexual discrimination and harassment;

(2) proposed legislation or rule-making that would improve the State's existing enforcement efforts to ensure that institutions effectively prevent and respond to sexual discrimination and harassment;

(3) increasing the transparency of the State's enforcement activities concerning sexual discrimination and harassment;

(4) evaluating the existing ethical, civil, and criminal penalties for sexual discrimination and harassment and determining whether they are sufficient and what changes should be made;

(5) broadening public awareness of how to report sexual discrimination and harassment and the remedies available to victims;

(6) facilitating coordination among agencies engaged in addressing sexual discrimination and harassment;

(7) any other issue related to reducing the incidence of sexual discrimination and harassment or harassment in other forms and protecting the rights of victims; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit a report with comprehensive recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2018, provided that the Task Force is encouraged to produce interim reports.