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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

The Back to Business Grant Program

By growthzone | August 20, 2021

Supporting Struggling Small Businesses The pandemic and Covid-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to many small businesses in March of 2020.  Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants.  While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of eligible small businesses which applied were not awarded a grant. Subsequently, Illinois received…

SBAC Advocacy Newsletter 8.13.21

By growthzone | August 16, 2021

Dear Small Business Advocates, We understand that the Delta variant is causing increasing concern and uncertainty for the small business community.  Rest assured, we will continue fighting for policies that proactively address the challenges presented by the resurgence of the pandemic. Click on the link below to read more on our work on: Back to…

Illinois Announces Back To Business Grant Program – SBAC Testifies at Joint Committee Hearing

By growthzone | August 13, 2021

Back to Business Grant Program AUG 13th – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity launched the Back to Business grant program for struggling small businesses on Wednesday.  On August 12th, the SBAC participated in a joint Illinois Senate hearing to learn more about the program. We explained how important it is for the…

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