There are 132 occupational licenses in Illinois. Let’s reflect on that for a moment and consider whether there are ways to protect the safety, welfare, and health of the public without needlessly hurting entrepreneurs and small businesses. The red tape associated with monitoring and enforcing all these licenses also costs the state money. It is time we take a pause to re-assess.

The Small Business Advocacy Council and IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship are working together to pass legislation that will put a one-year pause on new occupational licenses. The bill also provides that more information will be made available for legislators before they decide on changing and enacting occupational licenses.

We look forward to working with bill sponsors Representative Michael Crawford and Senator Willie Preston on getting this legislation passed in 2025. We can protect the public without unnecessarily burdening entrepreneurs and stifling the workforce!