Stadelman calls for law to expedite professional licensing
To support local workers, State Senator Steve Stadelman and a group of pro-business Democratic lawmakers is pushing for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to step up its speed in issuing professional licenses.
"If you have all the qualifications and there are no discrepancies in your license, you shouldn’t have to wait months to practice your profession in the process,” Stadelman said during a Springfield news conference. As an example, Stadelman pointed to cosmetologists whose were expiring Dec. 31, 2021. A kink in a new online portal prevented them from being able to log in, nor could they get telephone calls answered during the holiday week. An IDFPR-provided "work-around" also failed, and they cosmetologists only were successful after Stadelman's office requested their passwords and user IDs be reset.
"People were extremely frustrated and concerned about the looming deadline," Stadelman said. "At an busy time of the year in their industry, they wasted many hours in front of computer screens and on the phone."
Senate Bill 670, co-sponsored by Stadelman and already approved in the Senate, would require IDFPR to process license applications within four weeks unless deficiences in the application are uncovered. IDFPR licenses dozens of occupations ranging from health care workers and accountants to home inspectors and roofing contractors.
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Third summit to provide free legal aid and second chances
People who are eligible to have their criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case for review by a judge during State Senator Steve Stadelman's 2022 Second Chances Summit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.
Stadelman will announce the opening of registration at a news conference Sunday.
To sign up for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com.
Nearly 250 people met one-on-one with volunteer attorneys during the 2018 and 2019 summits, and Stadelman's office has continued to receive requests to repeat the event. Attempts in 2020 and 2021 were called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.19 pandemic.
"Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families," Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result."
Event partner Prairie State Legal Services will join Stadelman for the news conference. Wendy Crouch, pro-bono coordinator for the nonprofit agency, encourages local attorneys to contribute their time and expertise. Prairie State provides free event training that volunteer attorneys can use toward the state's continuing education requirements for lawyers.
"Having a criminal record can have a far-reaching impact, even restricting a parent’s ability to fully participate in their child’s life," Crouch said. “Prairie State Legal Services is excited to again partner with SenatorStadelman to help all those who are eligible to clear their records and move foward."
Interested attorneys can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.
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In case you missed me on Facebook ...
State Senator Steve Stadelman
Yesterday at 3:33 PM
The tax filing deadline is next month, so make sure you take opportunities for tax credits you may be eligible for. If you paid more than $250 is educational expenses for your child, you could qualify for the Education Expense Credit. Learn more: www.IllinoisSenateDemocrats.com/EduTaxCredit.
State Senator Steve Stadelman
March 15 at 3:15 PM
The average woman makes 82 cents for every dollar a man makes. The wage gap is even greater for Black, Native American and Latina women. This #EqualPayDay, I remain committed to making sure ALL women receive equal pay for equal work.
