Springfield, IL – In a landmark step to strengthen protections for Illinoisans with disabilities, chief bill sponsor State Representative Bob Morgan passed House Bill 862 in the Illinois House of Representatives. Pending Senate passage, this bill establishes the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (DAG), transforming the existing Guardianship and Advocacy Commission from a quasi-independent body into a Cabinet-level state agency.
HB 862 creates a new department which will be led by a Governor-appointed Director and confirmed by the Senate, bringing greater transparency and accountability to agency leadership. The legislation also creates an 11-member Advisory Council (also appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate) to provide guidance on guardianship services, legal representation, and disability rights.
“For too long, the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has done critical, life-changing work without the formal standing it needs in state government,” said Rep. Morgan. “By elevating this Commission to a Cabinet-level department, we are sending a clear message: disability rights are a state priority, and state resources will be appropriately allocated to ensure dignity for Illinoisans with disabilities.”
“We’re grateful to Governor Pritzker, his administration, and Leader Morgan for their leadership in elevating disability advocacy in Illinois government and cementing it as a state priority — creating a stronger voice for Illinoisans with disabilities and their supporters in shaping policy, protecting rights, and advancing independence and self-determination. We are also deeply appreciative of the dedicated colleagues, advocates, and partners across Illinois whose work makes this mission possible every day”, said Director Tracey B. Fleming of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
This legislation also ensures that all current services will continue without interruption. The Department will carry on the Commission’s four core program areas: the Office of State Guardian, which serves nearly 5,000 adults; the Legal Advocacy Service, which provides representation in more than 10,000 proceedings annually; the Human Rights Authority, which investigates disability rights violations at public and private facilities; and the Special Education Initiative. All agency staff, nine regional offices, and regional volunteer boards will remain intact.
The restructuring carries no additional fiscal cost. It is a purely administrative change designed to increase accountability and elevate disability advocacy to the highest levels of state government, while preserving the independence of staff attorneys, guardians, and Disability Rights Authority personnel in advocating for the individuals they serve.
House Bill 862 now advances to the Illinois Senate, where it will be carried by State Senator Julie Morrison.
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