Bill
SB 1859
Establishes a temporary Climate Displacement Task Force to analyze and plan Illinois’ preparedness for climate-driven displacement through 2050, with two key reports.
Status and key dates
- Introduced: March 4, 2025 (Sen. Graciela Guzmán).
- Passed both houses: May 31, 2025.
- Sent to Governor: June 27, 2025.
- Governor approved / Effective date: August 15, 2025.
- Public Act number: 104‑0396.
- Companion bill: HB 3794.
Purpose and intent
- Establishes a temporary, multi‑stakeholder Climate Displacement Task Force to ensure Illinois proactively plans for climate‑driven displacement (influx of people into Illinois and internal relocations) by identifying projected climate risks, estimating resource needs, supporting community resilience, and developing policy recommendations in consultation with residents, advocates, and industry.
Primary duties and deliverables
- Produce two formal reports to the General Assembly:
1. Initial report (due no later than June 30, 2026): analyze scientific research and global modeling to assess projected climate displacement affecting the United States and neighboring countries; set out findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
2. Second report (due no later than June 30, 2027): using the first report’s information, provide a needs assessment for infrastructure, systems development (governance, infrastructure, social services), and interagency collaboration plans to prepare Illinois through 2050; include findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Meetings: once initial voting members are appointed, Task Force must meet not less than monthly to carry out duties.
Membership, appointments, and compensation
- Voting membership (specified in statute) includes:
- 4 members of the General Assembly (Chair appointed by Speaker; Vice‑Chair by Senate President; one each appointed by the minority leaders of both chambers).
- State agency directors (or designees): Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; Department of Public Health; Department of Human Services; Department of Transportation; Illinois Emergency Management Agency & Office of Homeland Security; Director of Insurance; Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
- Governor‑appointed representatives: labor organization; community‑based organization working on affordable housing/transportation/essential services; immigrant rights organization; environmental justice organization; 2 academic representatives with expertise in climate change/environmental science/urban planning.
- Additional members may be appointed per Section 10; qualifications must be documented and made publicly available.
- Appointments must be made no later than 90 days after the Act’s effective date (i.e., by ~Nov 13, 2025).
- Members serve without compensation.
Duration and procedural notes
- The Task Force is temporary and the Act is repealed on December 31, 2028 (dissolution date).
- The statute defines “systems development” broadly to include resilient and adaptable governance, infrastructure, and social services.
- The Act specifies deliverables and timelines but does not appropriate specific funding or create permanent programs; implementation will rely on participating agencies and appointed members.
Who is affected / potential impact
- State agencies (environmental, health, human services, transportation, emergency management, insurance, commerce) will be engaged in assessment and planning.
- Local governments, housing and transportation providers, community‑based and immigrant organizations, labor groups, academic institutions, and residents likely to be recipients of recommendations and planning guidance.
- The Task Force’s reports aim to shape near‑term (by 2027) policy recommendations and longer‑term (through 2050) preparedness planning for climate displacement in Illinois.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
