Executive Order Number 10-11

Executive Order Number 10-11 (PDF, 150 KB)

Executive Order Creating the Illinois Anti-Violence Commission

WHEREAS, violence ultimately is a community problem and requires a community solution that considers the needs and perspectives of everyone who lives in fear of violent crime; and

WHEREAS, when violence claims a life, the impact of that loss ripples throughout the entire community for years to come, shattering hopes and devastating families; and

WHEREAS, those who have endured the aftermath of deadly violence bring a deeply personal perspective to issues of crime, prevention and punishment, and they represent an extraordinary resource of wisdom and experience that should be considered in shaping government programs intended to prevent violence and protect neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, under the basic principles of participatory democracy, those who are most personally affected by any issue of grave general concern have the greatest right to be heard when their government considers that issue; and

WHEREAS, the rising tide of deadly violence threatening many Illinois communities demands and deserves an effective, thoughtful, grassroots response from government at every level;

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, hereby order the following:

1. CREATION

   There is hereby established the Illinois Anti-Violence Commission (hereinafter "Commission").

2. PURPOSE

   The Commission members, combining their own personal, real-life experience with thoughtful input from other individuals at every level who share their commitment to preventing violence and keeping neighborhoods safe and secure, shall develop a set of recommendations to guide the State of Illinois toward wise, effective, community-focused anti-violence programs.

3. DUTIES

   The Commission shall make recommendations for developing and implementing community-focused violence prevention programs that address the needs identified by those most personally affected by violent crime and its aftermath.

   The Commission shall make best efforts to:
   1. Hold hearings and gather testimony from community members and representatives of neighborhood groups as well as experts in violence prevention and law enforcement.
   2. Develop community-based recommendations to strengthen Illinois’ existing anti-violence programs and find new, workable solutions to save lives and rebuild neighborhoods.
   3. Identify opportunities to increase community input into the development and delivery of the State of Illinois’ violence prevention programs.
4. MEMBERSHIP

   The Commission shall be limited to Illinois residents who have lost family members to deadly violence; its membership shall reflect diversity to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois citizens. The Governor appoints all members of the Commission.

   Members shall serve for the duration of the Commission. The Commission shall convene within 30 days after the effective date of this Order. The initial meeting of the Commission shall be convened by the chairperson selected by the Governor. Subsequent meetings will convene at the call of the chairperson.

5. REPORT

   The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly no later than November 16, 2010. The Commission and the terms of its members shall expire upon delivery of the final report.

6. TRANSPARENCY

   In addition to whatever policies or procedures it may adopt, all operations of the Commission will be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.). This section shall not be construed so as to preclude other statutes from applying to the Commission and its activities.

7. SAVINGS CLAUSE

   Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any state or federal law.

8. SEVERABILITY

   If any provision of this Executive Order is found invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

9. EFFECTIVE DATE

   This Executive Order shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.