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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

Chicago businesses are feeling the effects of supply-chain slowdowns

By growthzone | November 24, 2021

“Small businesses are just having a tremendously difficult time getting the supplies that they need to run their business, and, of course, this is even more concerning with the holiday season approaching,” said Elliot Richardson, president of the Small Business Advocacy Council in Chicago. He said the supply-chain problems are impacting all kinds of retailers.…

IACCE Conversation with Speaker of the House, Chris Welch

By growthzone | November 23, 2021

The SBAC’s Elliot Richardson had the distinct pleasure of moderating the IACCE – Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives call with Emanuel Chris Welch and Office of State Representative Carol Ammons last Friday. Watch the entire conversation addressing issues such as Back to Business Grants Workforce Development Unemployment Trust Fund Child Care Tax Credit/Grant…

REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS : South Shore

By growthzone | November 18, 2021

REVITLIZATION IN THE NEWS Residents in the South Shore are taking revitalization into their own hands, revitalizing vacant spaces in their community.   Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including neighbors taking a redevelopment project into their own hands and more.  …

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