Gov. Blagojevich establishes task force on condition of black men in Ill.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Governor Rod Blagojevich has signed legislation establishing the first statewide Task Force on the Condition of African American Men in Illinois.

The task force will look to address issues including education, incarceration and parole rates, health disparities and economic earnings. It will be part of the Department of Human Services.

Blagojevich says the task force is a step toward helping black men have better access to the state services that are available to them.

The task force will develop a system to measure its progress and report its findings and recommendations to the governor and Illinois Legislature by December 31st of next year.