(a) There is hereby created the Advisory Council on Spinal Cord and Head Injuries within the Department of Human Services. The Council shall consist of 29 members, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Members shall serve 3-year terms and until their successors are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members appointed by the Governor shall include 2 neurosurgeons, 2 orthopedic surgeons, 2 rehabilitation specialists, one of whom shall be a registered nurse, 4 persons with head injuries or family members of persons with head injuries, 4 persons with spinal cord injuries or family members of persons with spinal cord injuries, a representative of an Illinois college or university, and a representative from health institutions or private industry. These members shall not serve more than 2 consecutive 3-year terms. The Governor shall appoint one individual from each of the following entities to the Council as ex-officio members: the unit of the Department of Human Services that is responsible for the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program, another unit within the Department of Human Services that provides services for individuals with disabilities, the State Board of Education, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services , the Division of Specialized Care for Children of the University of Illinois, the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council. Ex-officio members are not subject to limit of 2 consecutive 3-year terms. The appointment of individuals representing State agencies shall be conditioned on their continued employment with their respective agencies. (b) From funds appropriated for such purpose, the Department of Human Services shall provide to the Council the necessary staff and expenses to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Council. Such staff shall consist of a director and other support staff. (c) Meetings shall be held at least every 90 days or at the call of the Council chairman, who shall be elected by the Council. (d) Each member shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of his official duties. (e) The Council shall adopt written procedures to govern its activities. Consultants shall be provided for the Council from appropriations made for such purpose. (f) The Council shall make recommendations to the Governor for developing and administering a State plan to provide services for spinal cord and head injured persons. (g) No member of the Council may participate in or seek to influence a decision or vote of the Council if the member would be directly involved with the matter or if he would derive income from it. A violation of this prohibition shall be grounds for a person to be removed as a member of the Council by the Governor. (h) The Council shall: (1) promote meetings and programs for the discussion of reducing the debilitating effects of spinal cord and head injuries and disseminate information in cooperation with any other department, agency or entity on the prevention, evaluation, care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons affected by spinal cord and head injuries; (2) study and review current prevention, evaluation, care, treatment and rehabilitation technologies and recommend appropriate preparation, training, retraining and distribution of manpower and resources in the provision of services to spinal cord and head injured persons through private and public residential facilities, day programs and other specialized services; (3) recommend specific methods, means and procedures which should be adopted to improve and upgrade the State's service delivery system for spinal cord and head injured citizens of this State; (4) participate in developing and disseminating criteria and standards which may be required for future funding or licensing of facilities, day programs and other specialized services for spinal cord and head injured persons in this State; (5) report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on its activities, and on the results of its studies and the recommendations of the Council; and (6) be the advisory board for purposes of federal programs regarding traumatic brain injury. (i) The Department of Human Services may accept on behalf of the Council federal funds, gifts and donations from individuals, private organizations and foundations, and any other funds that may become available.Amended by P.A. 095-0331,§ 930, eff. 8/21/2007.P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97; 90-453, eff. 8-16-97.