The SBAC Small Business Package

Requiring business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees to obtain unnecessary and overly restrictive licenses hurts the Illinois economy. It also holds people back from achieving success. We are advocating for House Bill 4012, which will direct the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to evaluate a newly proposed license and issue a recommendation to state legislators. This recommendation can educate and inform legislators about a proposed license before they take a vote on its enactment.

Eliminating Unnecessary and Burdensome Licenses

It is imperative that policymakers identify and phase out unnecessary and burdensome occupational licenses that hurt individuals, businesses, and our economy. We recommend legislation which will create a licensing committee in both the Illinois Senate and House. This committee will be tasked with analyzing whether existing licenses up for renewal are necessary and if so, whether the goals of the license can be accomplished through less restrictive and burdensome requirements. The committee will then make recommendations for all legislators to consider before they vote to extend a particular license.

Growing Illinois’ Workforce and Tax Base

Illinois can expand its workforce and tax base by honoring occupational licenses from other states. Illinois should pass legislation similar to Arizona’s Universal Occupational Licensing Recognition Bill, which recognizes out-of-state licenses provided certain criteria are met. We propose legislation which will recognize out-of-state licenses if:

• the licensee is currently licensed in another state and has been for at least one year.
• the licensee passed the minimum educational requirements or examinations necessary to obtain the license in the other state and has not had their license revoked.
• the licensee meets all necessary requirements to protect the health, safety and welfare of Illinois residents.