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Occupational Licensing Reform

Occupational Licensing Reform

Occupational licenses are often necessary to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. However, when these licenses are revisited by legislators, it is important they have accurate and unbiased information before determining whether and how to maintain such a license.

Regulatory Sunset Review - HB5576

This legislation amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to require the existing sunset report process collects and provides comprehensive and specific information about the need for licensure, the licensing process, and the equity concerns arising from personal qualifications, such as the cost of training and continuing education and whether such requirements are suitably addressing public safety. The bill provides guidance for the report’s recommendations of modifications to licensing rules that will lower barriers for applicants but still address genuine public safety concerns, including a list of regulatory tools other than licensure, like registration or certification, disclosures, or insurance requirements. The bill does not usurp legislators' ability to make the final determination regarding a license.

License Information Task Force - HB5575

This legislation creates a task force that includes representatives from low- and middle-income licensed occupations along with a mix of academics, advocates, administrators, and legislators. The goal of the task force is to collect, centralize, and analyze data from IDFPR about low- and middle-income licensed occupations and evaluate licenses using an equity and access lens. The legislation provides that a final report will be published and provided to the General Assembly with recommendations about increasing equity and economic opportunity. With this comprehensive information, legislators can target reform efforts to preserve public safety while removing unnecessary requirements.

Insights Archive

IACCE Chamber Call with Senate President Harmon

By patti@sbacil.org | August 4, 2021

IACCE Chamber Call with Senate President Harmon The SBAC and Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives hosted Senate President Harmon, Senator Castro and Senator Sims for a broad discussion about how the small business community and Illinois Senate can work together. There has never been a more important time to advocate for the small…

What Small Business Needs to Make It Through

By patti@sbacil.org | July 30, 2021

What small business needs to make it through An advocate has advice and a forecast for the sector as entrepreneurs navigate a pandemic that remains in flux. This week Chicago Comes Back welcomes Elliot Richardson, co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council, an organization dedicated to advocating for small businesses in Illinois. We…

Big win for small businesses!

By patti@sbacil.org | July 21, 2021

SBAC Applauds Mayor Lightfoot and City Council For Providing Small Businesses a Big Win For Immediate Release July 21, 2021 Statement by Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) President Elliot Richardson: The SBAC and a robust coalition of business and community organizations have been fighting to reduce the time it takes for small businesses to obtain…

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