HJ0085

LRB095 15348 NHT 41336 r






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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Several recent economic and academic studies have 
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demonstrated a growing skills gap among workers in the nation; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, These studies have demonstrated that the greatest 
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disparity in skills exists among the nation's traditionally 
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underrepresented minority populations, specifically African 
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Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans; and

 
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    WHEREAS, A logical and efficient manner of addressing this 
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skill gap is through the provision of post-secondary education; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois needs to improve college access for all 
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of its citizens in order to address the skill gap, provide a 
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cadre of more qualified and competent workers for Illinois 
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businesses, and improve the State economy; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, 
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specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, 
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make up an increasingly higher percentage of the State's 
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population, and thus will be called upon to make up an 
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increasingly higher percentage of the State's workforce; and

 
 


 






HJ0085
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LRB095 15348 NHT 41336 r




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    WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, 
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specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, 
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make up a disproportionately lower percentage of those students 
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attending colleges and universities in Illinois as compared to 
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their overall Illinois population; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It has been demonstrated that traditionally 
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underrepresented student populations are more successful in 
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their degree attainment when they are taught and supported by 
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faculty and staff that includes those of similar ethnic and 
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cultural backgrounds; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Traditionally underrepresented populations, 
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specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, 
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make up a disproportionately lower percentage of the faculty 
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and staff at colleges and universities in Illinois as compared 
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to their overall Illinois population; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that a bi-partisan task force on the 
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status of underrepresented minorities in higher education is 
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commissioned to evaluate the status of traditionally 
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underrepresented populations, specifically African Americans, 
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Latinos, and Native Americans, in this State's public and 
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private institutions of higher education; and be it further

 
 


 






HJ0085
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LRB095 15348 NHT 41336 r




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    RESOLVED, That membership on this task force include 2 
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Republican and 2 Democrat members of the House of 
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Representatives, 2 Republican and 2 Democrat members of the 
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Senate, and the directors or their designees of the following 
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organizations: the State Board of Education, the Board of 
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Higher Education, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 
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the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and 
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Universities, the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in 
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Higher Education, and the Illinois Latino Council on Higher 
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Education; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That this task force assess accessibility of 
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institutions of higher education in Illinois for those in the 
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above-stated Illinois populations who want to enroll as 
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students; and be it further 
 
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    RESOLVED, That the task force assess the representation of 
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these populations in all job categories, including faculty, 
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staff, and civil service, at institutions of higher education 
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in Illinois; and be it further 
 
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    RESOLVED, That the task force assess issues of campus 
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climate that might affect the success of students and the 
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retention of faculty and staff at institutions of higher 
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education in Illinois; and be it further
 
 


 






HJ0085
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LRB095 15348 NHT 41336 r




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    RESOLVED, That the task force pay particular attention 
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during its assessment of those college and university programs 
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that target areas of the most drastic skills disparity, as 
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identified by previously published economic and academic 
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studies; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That in order to make these assessments, the task 
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force hold a series of regional public hearings on college and 
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university campuses across the State; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That this task force shall file a report with the 
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General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the State Board 
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of Education, and the Board of Higher Education upon completion 
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of its assessments, and that this report shall include any 
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findings and recommendations for further legislative action 
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that are generated as a result of the task force's work; and be 
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it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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delivered to the directors of the State Board of Education, the 
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Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Student Assistance 
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Commission, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges 
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and Universities, the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in 
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Higher Education, and the Illinois Latino Council on Higher 
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Education.