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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

ACTION CALL! Legislation To Get People Back To Work

By mrevis@sbacil.org | February 19, 2021

Legislation To Get People Back To Work State Representative Gong-Gershowitz has filed the RISE Act.  This legislation will get people back to work and support small businesses.  The RISE Act (House Bill 0801) creates a tax incentive for businesses that retrain and hire employees who have lost their jobs or businesses because of the pandemic.…

Business Interruption Grant Program

By mrevis@sbacil.org | February 15, 2021

IL – Many small and local businesses were devastated by the pandemic but only 20% of applicants received Illinois Business Interruption Grants.  Watch coverage of SBAC President Elliot Richardson testifying before the Illinois Senate Commerce Commission about the need for an improved and more inclusive process in the future.   Please translate this page to…

Summarization of EEOC Vaccine Guidelines

By patti@sbacil.org | January 29, 2021

December 16th – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has addressed the most common employer questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. As of now, there are currently no state or federal laws that prohibit employers from requiring vaccinations as a condition of employment, however, employees can refuse to get the vaccine if they have certain medical…

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