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PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE TO ITEM 18-1749
(Asset Management Committee 5/15/2018)
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES WITH ILLINOIS BLIND VENDORS
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Labor blind persons suffer a 70% rate of unemployment; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress enacted the Randolph-Sheppard Act in 1937 giving blind persons the right to employment on Federal property; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama on January 20, 2012 declared his full support of the Randolph- Sheppard act by requiring full federal compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Legislature enacted "The Blind Vendors' Act" on January 1, 2010 affirming and expanding the rights of blind persons licensed under the Randolph-Sheppard Act the right to operate vending facilities on state property, and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Business Enterprise Program for the Blind authorized under the Blind Vendors Act with the guidance and oversight of the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors was created for the purposes of providing visually impaired persons with remunerative employment and enlarging the economic opportunities for the visually impaired; and
WHEREAS, through a Memorandum of Understanding, Cook County currently partners with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Business Enterprise Program (DHS/DRS/BEPB) for the Blind, to provide economic opportunities for visually impaired individuals; and
WHEREAS, the current Memorandum of Understanding which expires on December 31, 2019 allows for blind vendors licensed by DHS/DRS/BEPB to provide vending opportunities at various County facilities operated and/or controlled by the County; and
WHEREAS, the current Memorandum of Understanding provides is narrow in scope of the type of vending facility/vending machine available in County facilities and provides for a rental/commission fee to the County; and
WHEREAS, continued partnering with bl...
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