Loughran Cappel co-sponsored legislation to expedite professional licenses advances to House

SPRINGFIELD – A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks passed the Senate.

“We have a variety of professionals waiting months for their licenses to be issued by the state, which is delaying them from getting to work” Loughran Cappel said. “By expediting the licensing process, we are making life and finances just a little easier for our vocational workers.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

Read more: Loughran Cappel co-sponsored legislation to expedite professional licenses advances to House

Feigenholtz helps Illinoisans secure their unclaimed properties

SPRINGFIELD - A measure spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) could reduce unnecessary paperwork and expedite receiving unclaimed property.

“Treasurer Frerichs’ efforts to return unclaimed property to rightful owners has been stellar,” said Feigenholtz. “This measure will make it even easier to cut red tape and minimizes paperwork so that smaller amounts can be redeemed more quickly.”

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, Illinoisans would be granted access to more of their unclaimed property without filing a claim. Currently, people can be granted up to $2,000 of their unclaimed money without filing a claim. Feigenholtz’s measure would raise that threshold to $5,000. 

Read more: Feigenholtz helps Illinoisans secure their unclaimed properties

Senate approves Glowiak Hilton’s initiative to expedite professional licenses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced legislation out of the Senate to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks.

“Health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and a variety of others are ready to enter their respective industries but are waiting months for their professional licenses to be issued by the state,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With this initiative, I hope to expedite the time it takes IDFPR to process applications and allow residents to get to work more quickly.”

As chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Glowiak Hilton prioritizes legislation to benefit workers and support economic development throughout the state. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted.

Read more: Senate approves Glowiak Hilton’s initiative to expedite professional licenses

Harmon statement on Legislative Inspector General nomination

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the State Senate advanced a resolution nominating Judge Michael McCuskey to be the new Legislative Inspector General:

“The position of Legislative Inspector General is too important to stay vacant for as long as it has. An impasse is not an option, so we are taking decisive action to move forward with an excellent candidate.

Read more: Harmon statement on Legislative Inspector General nomination