20 ILCS 5/5-550
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH|20 ILCS 5/ - Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. (General Provisions and Departments of State Government)|Article 5 - Departments Of State Government

 (was 20 ILCS 5/6.23)Sec. 5-550. In the Department of Human Services. A State Rehabilitation  Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, is hereby established for  the purpose of complying with the requirements of 34 CFR 361.16 and advising the Secretary of Human Services and the vocational rehabilitation  administrator   of the provisions of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and  the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in matters concerning individuals  with disabilities and the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.  The Council  shall consist of members appointed by the Governor after soliciting  recommendations from organizations representing a broad  range of individuals with disabilities and organizations interested in  individuals with disabilities. However, the Governor may delegate his appointing authority under this Section to the Council by executive order.The Council shall consist of the following appointed members:(1) One representative of a parent training center     established in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.(2) One representative of the Client Assistance     Program.(3) One vocational rehabilitation counselor who has     knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs. If an employee of the Department of Human Services is appointed under this item, then he or she shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.(4) One representative of community rehabilitation     program service providers.(5) Four representatives of business, industry, and     labor.(6) At least two but not more than five     representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of the following:(A) individuals with physical, cognitive,         sensory, and mental disabilities; and(B) parents, family members, guardians,         advocates, or authorized representative of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or who are unable, due to their disabilities, to represent themselves.(7) One current or former applicant for, or recipient     of, vocational rehabilitation services.(8) One representative from secondary or higher     education.(9) One representative of the State Workforce     Innovation Board.(10) One representative of the Illinois State Board     of Education who is knowledgeable about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.(11) The chairperson of, or a member designated by,     the Statewide Independent Living Council established under Section 12a of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act.(12) The chairperson of, or a member designated by,     the Blind Services Planning Council established under Section 7 of  the Bureau for the Blind Act.(13) The vocational rehabilitation administrator, as     defined in Section 1b of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.The Council shall select a Chairperson.The Chairperson and a majority of the  members of the Council shall be persons who are individuals with disabilities. At least one   member shall be a senior citizen age 60 or over, and at least one member shall be at least 18 but not more than  25 years old.  A majority of the  Council members shall not be employees of the Department of Human Services.Members appointed to the Council for full terms on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall be appointed for  terms of 3 years. No Council member, other than the vocational rehabilitation administrator and the representative of the Client Assistance Program, shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms as a representative of one of the 13 enumerated categories.  If an individual, other than the vocational rehabilitation administrator and the representative of the Client Assistance Program, has completed 2 consecutive terms and is eligible to seek appointment as a representative of one of the other enumerated categories, then that individual may be appointed to serve as a representative of one of those other enumerated categories  after a meaningful break in Council service, as defined by the Council  through its by-laws.Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled. Individuals appointed by the appointing authority to fill an unexpired term shall complete the remainder of the vacated term.  When the initial term of a person appointed to fill a vacancy is completed, the individual appointed to fill that vacancy may be re-appointed by the appointing authority to the vacated position for one subsequent  term.If an excessive number of expired terms and vacated terms combine to place an undue burden on the Council, the appointing authority may appoint members for terms of 1, 2, or 3 years. The appointing authority shall determine the terms of Council members to ensure the number of terms expiring each year is as close to equal as possible.Notwithstanding the foregoing, a  member who is serving on the Council on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly and whose term expires as a result of the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly may complete the unexpired portion of his or her term.Members shall be reimbursed in accordance with State laws, rules, and rates  for expenses incurred in the performance of their approved, Council-related duties,  including expenses for travel, child care, or personal assistance services. A  member who is not employed or who must forfeit wages from other employment may   be paid reasonable compensation, as determined by the Department, for each day the member is engaged in  performing approved duties of the Council.The Council  shall meet at least 4 times per year at times and places designated by the Chairperson   upon 10 days written notice to the members.  Special meetings may  be called by the Chairperson or 7 members of the  Council upon 7 days written  notice to the other members.  Nine members shall constitute a  quorum.  No member of the Council shall cast a vote on any matter that would provide  direct financial benefit to the member or otherwise give the appearance of a  conflict of interest under Illinois law.The  Council shall prepare and submit to the  vocational rehabilitation  administrator  the reports and findings  that the vocational rehabilitation administrator may request or  that the Council deems fit.  The Council shall select jointly with the  vocational rehabilitation  administrator  a pool of  qualified persons to serve as impartial hearing officers.  The Council shall, with the vocational rehabilitation unit in the Department,  jointly develop, agree to, and review annually State goals and priorities and  jointly submit annual reports of progress to the federal Commissioner of  the  Rehabilitation Services Administration.To the extent that there is a disagreement between the Council and the unit  within the  Department of Human Services responsible for the administration of the  vocational rehabilitation program, regarding the resources  necessary to carry out the functions of the Council as set forth in this  Section, the  disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor.  (Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 100-477, eff. 9-8-17.)