Bill Text: IL SB2178 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Creates the Illinois Plain Language Task Force Act. Provides that a Task Force chaired by the Lieutenant Governor or his or her designee shall conduct a study on, and propose legislative measures designed to realize, the potential benefits of incorporating plain language in State government documents, statutes, and contracts into which the State enters and how plain language principles might be incorporated into the statutes governing contracts among private parties so as to provide additional protections to Illinois consumers, to reduce litigation between private parties over the meaning of contractual terms, and to foster judicial economy. Contains provisions regarding the term "plain language", the composition and duties of the Task Force, and the guidelines the Task Force will follow. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-08-13 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0350 [SB2178 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SB2178-Enrolled.html

---

SB2178 Enrolled LRB096 02930 KTG 12944 b
AN ACT concerning plain language.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Illinois Plain Language Task Force Act.
Section 5. Purpose. The mission of the Illinois Plain
Language Task Force is to conduct a study on, and to propose
legislative measures designed to realize:
(1) the potential benefits of incorporating plain
language in State government documents, statutes, and
contracts into which the State enters; and
(2) how plain language principles might be
incorporated into the statutes governing contracts among
private parties so as to provide additional protections to
Illinois consumers, to reduce litigation between private
parties over the meaning of contractual terms, and to
foster judicial economy.
Section 10. Definition. As used in this Act:
"Plain language" has the same meaning ascribed to it in the
Executive Memorandum of the President of the United States,
mandating that Federal Agencies and Federal Administrative
Rules employ plain language, issued June 1, 1998, namely that

SB2178 Enrolled - 2 - LRB096 02930 KTG 12944 b
"plain language" documents have logical organization,
easy-to-read design features, and use: (i) common, everyday
words, except for necessary technical terms; (ii) "you" and
other pronouns; (iii) the active voice; and (iv) short
sentences.
Section 15. Task Force.
(a) The Illinois Plain Language Task Force is hereby
created. The Illinois Plain Language Task Force shall be
chaired by the Governor or his or her designee and shall
consist of the following members: one member appointed by the
Illinois Attorney General; one member appointed by the Senate
President; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; one
member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; and 3
members appointed by the Governor, one of whom represents the
interests of the banking industry, one of whom represents the
interests of the business community, and one of whom represents
the interests of the consumers.
(b) Members of the Task Force must be appointed no later
than 90 days after the effective date of this Act.
(c) If a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, it shall be
filled according to the guidelines of the initial appointment.
(d) At the discretion of the chair, additional individuals
may participate as non-voting members in the meetings of the
Task Force.

SB2178 Enrolled - 3 - LRB096 02930 KTG 12944 b
(e) Members of the Illinois Plain Language Task Force shall
serve without compensation. The Office of the Governor shall
provide staff and administrative services to the Task Force.
Section 20. Duties. Once all members have been appointed,
the Task Force shall meet not less than once each quarter
following the effective date of this Act to carry out the
duties prescribed in this Act. An initial report delineating
the Task Force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations
shall be submitted to the Illinois General Assembly no later
than 9 months after the effective date of this Act. Thereafter,
the Task Force shall make periodic recommendations on its own
motion or at the urging of the Illinois General Assembly.
Section 25. Guidance. The Task Force shall be guided in its
discussions on the subject of plain language by the guidelines
for plain language drafting promulgated by the President of the
United States on June 1, 1998, which accompanied his plain
language Executive Memorandum issued on the same day.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.