Stadelman measure aims to improve student loan debt
A new law sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman will prevent state licensing boards from suspending or revoking people's professional licenses and certificates if they default on their student loans. Senate Bill 2439 puts provisions in place to prevent individuals with student loan default from having licenses denied, revoked or suspended in 37 professions, such as occupational therapists, barbers, teachers, structural engineers, home inspectors and real estate agents.

“This sort of punitive action serves no good purpose," Stadelman said. "Taking away the source of someone's livelihood only compounds the problem and makes loan repayment all the more difficult. It's a vicious circle that benefits no one."

Student loans are the largest source of consumer debt in the United States, surpassing mortgages and credit cards debt, and the only type of debt that typically cannot be discharged in bankruptcy court.

Override of governor's wage gap veto urged by Stadelman
State Senator Steve Stadelman is among Illinois lawmakers urging colleagues to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a bill to protect working women and address the state's gender wage gap. Had it become law, House Bill 4163 would have prevented  employers from asking prospective employees about their salary history.

"The idea is to break the cycle of a woman being paid unfairly in one job and having that lower wage influence her pay at her next job and the job after that," Stadelman said. "Without this change, some women might never be able to earn the wage they deserve."

If an override succeeds in General Assembly during its fall veto session next month, the new law also would give victims of unfair or gender-based wage discrepancies a method to seek compensation, including the recovery of lost wages and reimbursement of legal fees.

Stadelman named 'Friend of Agriculture'

Senator Steve Stadelman accepted the Friend of Agriculture award this week from the Winnebago- Boone Farm Bureau. The honor is given to state lawmakers whose voting records in Springfield favored Illinois farmers at least 70 percent of the time.