IL HB4773

Establishes a Statewide Youth Advisory Board and regional youth advisory boards within the Department of Children and Family Services to advise the Department and General Assembly on matters affecting current and former youth in foster care.

Board membership consists of youth ages 14-21 who are current or former foster care youth appointed by DCFS or its designee, with statewide board members elected from regional boards.

Regional boards meet monthly and statewide board meets at least 5 times per year; the DCFS Director must meet quarterly with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to discuss youth concerns.

Board responsibilities include providing youth perspective to decision-makers, identifying solutions to adoption and guardianship issues, reviewing proposed legislation, and recommending changes to foster care policies and training.

Board meetings are closed to the public and not subject to the Open Meetings Act; board records are confidential and exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests, except for annual reports submitted to the General Assembly.