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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Adrienne M. Holloway, Ph.D. (Liesje Howard)
DATE: July 26, 2017
SUBJECT:
City of Aurora Municipal Code sections need updating to include the term "persons with disabilities."
PURPOSE:
To use updated terminology in City of Aurora ordinances that replaces general labeling of "the disabled" or "the handicapped" with appropriate language.
BACKGROUND:
Units of government of all levels are instituting language changes in statutes when referencing people with disabilities to ensure that governing language reflects respect and inclusiveness.
DISCUSSION:
The Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 4049 in 2015 permitting the state of Illinois to modify statutory language as follows [From House Bill 4049]:
"Amends the Statute on Statues, the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and other various Acts. Changes all occurrences of 'the physically handicapped' to 'persons with physical disabilities,' changes all occurrences of 'the handicapped' or 'handicapped persons' or 'handicapped individuals' to 'persons with disabilities,' and occurrences of 'disabled persons' to 'persons with disabilities' and changes all occurrences of 'the mentally and developmentally disabled' to 'persons with mental and developmental disabilities.' Changes the title of the 'Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act' and all references to that Act to the 'Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act' and all references to that Act. Changes the title of other Acts and names of certain funds. Effective immediately."
Using House Bill 4049 as a guide, proposed changes have been made to City of Aurora ordinances as referenced above.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The following sections of the City of Aurora Municipal Code are recommended for update:
Chapter 2 Article VI §2-461
Chapter 9 Article V §9-27
Chapter 19 Article V §9-110 through 19-126
Chapter 22 Article I §22-1 through 22-17 and §22-23
Chapter 27 Article V §22-184 and 22-186
Chapter 42 Article VI §42-211
RECOMMENDATIONS:
An update of all sections referenced above is recommended.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Lofchie
Alderman Franco, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to Modify City of Aurora Municipal Codes that Make Reference to Persons with Disabilities.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, many City of Aurora ordinances reflect outdated language as it relates to referencing people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, modifying ordinance language that reference people with disabilities demonstrates respect and inclusivity on the part of the City; and
WHEREAS, updates made to City of Aurora ordinances pertaining to such references will be consistent with statutory modifications made at the state and federal levels)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: The City of Aurora will update language in the following sections of the City of Aurora Municipal Code that pertain to persons with disabilities:
Chapter 2 Article VI §2-461
Chapter 9 Article V §9-27
Chapter 19 Article V §9-110 through 19-126
Chapter 22 Article I §22-1 through 22-17 and §22-23
Chapter 27 Article V §22-184 and 22-186
Chapter 42 Article VI §42-211