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HB 4819

STRENGTHENING FATHERS&FAMILIES

104th Regular Session Introduced by Curtis Tarver

The bill creates a state commission and initiative to strengthen father involvement and support across all family types, guiding programs and funding to improve father–child outcom

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Bill Summary · HB 4819

Overview

  • Bill: HB4819 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)
  • Title: Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families Act
  • Lead sponsor: Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II
  • Purpose: Promote recognition of the importance of both parents in children’s lives and establish a state-wide initiative and commission to strengthen father involvement and family outcomes

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a formal framework to increase father involvement across all family configurations (married, unmarried, divorced, etc.).
  • Shift policy focus toward valuing and promoting positive involvement of fathers, alongside cooperation with mothers.
  • Implement a dedicated initiative and a standing Commission to guide, evaluate, and fund programs aimed at strengthening father–child relationships and overall family well-being.

Key provisions and changes

Initiatives and commissions

  • Establish the Strengthening Fathers and Families Initiative under the Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families.
  • Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families created to lead and oversee the act’s goals.

Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families

  • Commission composition: up to 21 members; at least 50% of members must be parents.
  • Roles: develop a comprehensive plan, evaluate state programs and policies, recommend actions to the Governor, Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services, and the General Assembly, and develop grant criteria.
  • Staffing: Department of Human Services to provide staff support.
  • Governance: decisions by consensus of a majority, with chair appointed by the Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services; inaugural chair and members identified collaboratively.

Goals of the Commission

  • Advocate for public support of fathers across socio-economic groups and family configurations.
  • Promote education to prepare fathers for legal, financial, nurturing, and emotional obligations.
  • Promote establishment of paternity at birth.
  • Foster nurturing, emotional connections between fathers and children, and cooperative relationships with mothers.
  • Support peer-to-peer fatherhood groups and mediation/custody/visitation processes that reduce negative outcomes of divorce or separation.
  • Coordinate and integrate state and local services to better support fathers and families.

Duties and activities

  • Develop a comprehensive plan to promote father involvement and family strengthening.
  • Evaluate state programs and policies; make recommendations.
  • Partner with a university for research and data analysis (inaugural partner: Lab for Empowerment and Advancement through Dad-Driven Research, University of Illinois-Chicago).
  • Convene statewide symposia to advance fatherhood and family initiatives.
  • Subject to appropriations, develop grant criteria and issue requests for proposals for fatherhood/family projects.
  • Receive grants and funds for related activities.
  • Annually develop a report on the Commission’s work (as resources allow).

Funding and financial provisions

  • Establishment of the Fatherhood and Family Strengthening Fund (a special fund in the State treasury).
  • Funds deposited into the Fund may be expended for Act purposes, subject to appropriation.
  • Department of Human Services may direct discretionary funds to support the Commission’s core functions.

Who would be affected

  • Families, particularly those with fathers who are seeking greater involvement.
  • Parents (at least half of Commission members must be parents).
  • State agencies and programs related to health, human services, child support, family services, and corrections.
  • Non-governmental organizations and advocates focused on fatherhood, mother advocacy, child welfare, and family law.
  • Researchers and academic partners collaborating on fatherhood-related studies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The Commission becomes operational when at least 10 additional members are appointed.
  • Establishment of bylaws and election of co-chair within a reasonable time after operation begins.
  • The Act envisions ongoing duties that may evolve as the Commission implements its mission.
  • Funding and programmatic actions are subject to appropriations; annual reporting contingent on resources.

Notes on scope

  • Emphasis on the population of children whose families receive public assistance, but not exclusive to them.
  • Policy focus includes paternity establishment, mediation, parenting plans, and cross-sector coordination to support fathers and families.

If you’d like, I can condense this into a one-page briefing or tailor a version for policymakers, practitioners, or community organizations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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