HR0943 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0943 LRB104 22143 MST 38353 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The member of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors for its decades of service, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and commitment to expanding opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors (ICBV), established in 1974 pursuant to federal mandate, serves as the elected representative body for Illinois' blind vendors participating in the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors is to provide the highest level of self-employment opportunities to blind men and women while employing people of all disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors advocates for opportunities that promote economic independence, entrepreneurship, and self-sufficiency for blind and visually impaired individuals throughout Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors and participating blind vendors contribute significantly to the Illinois economy, generating approximately $16.9 million in sales annually, producing approximately $600,000 in sales tax revenue, purchasing approximately $8 million in goods, distributing approximately $2.2 million in payroll, and employing dozens of individuals with disabilities throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to inclusive hiring and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, earning recognition from the Illinois Department of Human Services as Employer of the Year in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Blind vendors participating in the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind proudly serve customers at State, federal, county, municipal, and private facilities across Illinois, including correctional facilities, highway rest areas, hospitals, government buildings, and military; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Blind Vendors Act, codified as 20 ILCS 2421, to expand economic opportunities for blind individuals and provide priority for licensed blind vendors to operate vending facilities on State property; and

WHEREAS, The Randolph-Sheppard Act has served for decades as a national model for empowering blind entrepreneurs through business ownership and employment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, President Barack Obama recognized the Randolph-Sheppard Program as a leading example of economic opportunity and independence for blind Americans and directed federal agencies to continue supporting the program; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors for its decades of service, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and commitment to expanding opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we thank the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors and all participating blind vendors for their contributions to Illinois communities, workforce development, and economic opportunity; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors as a symbol of our esteem and respect.