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.
Logan Square Activation Ribbon Cutting
Thank you Logan Square Chamber of Commerce for having us! The SBAC and our Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition had the pleasure of attending the Solidary Triangle Plaza Activation hosted by the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. We spoke with some of the great people of Logan Square about our goals to revitalize, empower and connect Cook…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Hyde Park Farmers Market Opens Sunday!
The Hyde Park Farmers Market will return to the parking lot behind the Hyde Park Bank Building, 1525 E. 53rd St., this Sunday, June 5. The Hyde Park Farmers Market will return to the parking lot behind the Hyde Park Bank Building, 1525 E. 53rd St., this Sunday, June 5. The event is co-hosted…
Woodlawn Coffee Chat: A Community Conversation
A Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce event: Join Woodlawn Chamber for the Woodlawn Coffee Chat on Wednesday, June 1st at 6:00p to have a virtual conversation with local community organizations and elected officials about how research tools can be used to identify policy-relevant concerns and strengthen community practices. Supported by The Chicago Community Trust, The Joyce…