New IL Task Force on Black Men

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Subject: New State Task Force on Improving lives of Black men

Governor Blagojevich signs legislation creating a new task force to address issues impacting the African American community * SB 776 creates state-wide task force to develop strategies aimed at improving the lives of African American men

In an effort to raise awareness and address the problems facing the African American community in Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation establishing first statewide Task Force on the Condition of African American Men in Illinois within the Department of Human Services (DHS). Senate Bill 776, sponsored by State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), provides that the task force will address several issues, including: incarceration and parole rates, high school and post secondary education, economic earnings, child welfare, life expectancy and health disparities.

“As a state, we must work hard to find the solutions to the disparities and problems that plague our communities,”said Gov. Blagojevich. “This task force is one large step towards helping men in the African American community have better access to the state services available to them and aimed at improving their lives.” The task force will develop an inventory of state programs and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of African American men. The task force will aim at identifying gaps in service delivery, and to develop strategies to reduce duplication and maximize coordination between State agencies, providers, and educational institutions.

According to federal and state statistics:

• Black Americans accounted for 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2005 but were the victims of about15 percent of all of the nonfatal violent crime and about 49 percent of all homicides (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2007).

• 2.3 percent of all African Americans are incarcerated, compared to 0.4 percent of whites and 0.7 percent of Hispanics (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2005).

• One in nine (11.7 percent) African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 is currently incarcerated in a prison or jail (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2007).

• In Illinois 9.26 percent of African American students dropped out of high school during the 2004-2005 academic year, while only 2.36 percent of white students dropped out (ISBE).

• In Illinois, African American children make up 18 percent of the state's population of children, but make up 68 percent of the children placed in foster care (Administration for Children and Families,U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, 2003).

“We must educate ourselves and better understand the causes of the problems that afflict African American men in our state,” said Sen. Raoul. “Only then can we develop the best possible solutions to these troubles.” “This legislation confirms our continued dedication to fighting these social plights in Illinois,” said Rep. Colvin. “I thank the Governor for signing this bill and strengthening this promise to our citizens.” The task force will also develop benchmarks that measure its progress and will report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2008.

SB 776 goes into effect immediately.