* Sun-Times’ education reporter Emmanuel Camarillo…

As a parent-mentor at Lloyd Elementary in the Northwest Side neighborhood, [Maria] said some students expressed fears that they or their family members would be detained and deported by federal agents, perhaps on their way to school. Families considered leaving, she said. […]

That’s why she joined immigrant rights groups and elected officials Tuesday to celebrate Gov. JB Pritzker signing the “Safe Schools for All Act” into law, which advocates say will help protect families. The law prohibits public schools from denying any student access to a free education based on their immigration status or that of their parents. […]

The law also prohibits schools from disclosing or threatening to disclose information related to the immigration status of the student or an “associated person.” And it requires schools to develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement trying to enter a school. […]

State Rep. Lilian Jimenez, D-Chicago, and State Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, were lead sponsors of the bill. It strengthens at the state level protections that already existed at the federal level but feel tenuous under the current administration, they said. In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyler v. Doe that states cannot deny students a free public education on account of their immigration status.

* WAND…

A new Illinois law will create a student investment program within the state treasurer’s office. […]

“This bill is about making sure people have the ability to offer another option to Illinois borrowers so that at the end of the day they’ll be able to have more money in their pockets and be able to afford the loans that they’re currently on the hook for,” said Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). […]

This plan passed out of the Senate on a 46-12 vote and received a 67-38 vote in the House with one member voting present. House Bill 1430 took effect Friday.

“Some of us are still paying student loans,” said Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago). “Having the opportunity to refinance a very high-interest-rate loan by going through a program like this is a great opportunity for us to be offering to Illinoisans.”

* Rep. Dagmara Avelar…

As cases of discrimination rise and federal leaders retreat from workplace equity and public accommodation efforts, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, is providing new tools to help Illinois enforce basic human rights policies with a new law streamlining the investigation process and enhancing protections.

“Moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach when investigating discrimination cases cuts red tape and allows human rights investigators to promptly address the growing number of cases we’re seeing statewide,” said Avelar. “This move also alleviates troubling staff burdens as the department handles a significant uptick in caseload due to federal civil rights agencies gutting staff.”

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) is the agency responsible for investigating and enforcing the state’s anti-discrimination law. Avelar’s Senate Bill 2487 seeks to streamline the department’s investigations and improve efficiency by allowing the agency to determine whether a “fact-finding conference” is necessary on a case-by-case basis. Currently, IDHR is required to hold a fact-finding conference for most discrimination cases. The change aims to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure that each discrimination charge receives a tailored investigation.

Additionally, the legislation outlines civil penalties, allowing monetary fines in cases of egregious or systematic discrimination involving multiple violations of the human rights law. […]

Senate Bill 2487 was signed into law Friday and will go into effect January 1 of next year.

* Inside Public Accounting…

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently signed into law new legislation sponsored and heavily influenced by the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), one of the largest state associations serving the certified public accountant community. The new law evolves Illinois’ CPA licensure framework in response to talent pipeline issues, shifting demographics and changing financial and audit regulatory standards.

The legislation, House Bill (HB) 2459, originally introduced in March by Reps. Natalie Manley and Amy Elik and supported by chief senate sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and co-sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema, passed unanimously in both chambers earlier this year.

The legislation amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act to create two additional pathways to CPA licensure in Illinois. Scheduled to be implemented starting in 2027, these new pathways include:

- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting, completing at least two years of relevant work experience and passing the CPA exam.
- Obtaining a master’s degree with the required concentration in accounting, completing at least one year of relevant work experience and passing the CPA exam.

The bill also preserves the state’s legacy licensure pathway, which requires aspiring CPAs to complete 150 credit hours of qualifying education, complete one year of relevant work experience and pass all portions of the CPA exam to become licensed in the state—the pathway that’s been in place since 2001.

Additionally, the bill ensures that out-of-state CPAs can serve clients in Illinois without having to obtain an Illinois license if their issuing state’s licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to Illinois’ and safeguards Illinois CPAs will have the same practice privileges across state borders. ICPAS believes this law change will help reduce barriers to entry into the CPA profession, most notably, the time and costs required to become a CPA, while still preserving the rigor and integrity of the credential. The Illinois board of examiners and the Illinois department of financial and professional regulation were integral partners in drafting the bill, helping to ensure the state’s CPA licensure model evolved in a manner that addresses Illinois’ ongoing accounting talent shortage and growing need for CPAs to serve the business community and protect public interests.

* Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet…

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, D-Chicago, will help ensure that the state only invests state dollars in financial institutions that make it a priority to guarantee access to financial services to all customers regardless of their backgrounds. […]

DuBuclet’s Senate Bill 1301 will require all state funds deposited in financial institutions be held in entities that have a passing rating from the state’s Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). In 2021, as part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ (ILBC) Four Pillars framework to address systemic racism, financial institutions in Illinois began rating financial institutions on their ability to serve the needs of local residents

Before its passage, many low- and moderate-income residents may have had to rely on payday lenders and other less reliable methods to meet their financial needs. To attain a passing rating, institutions must adequately advertise services to the community, offer nondigital alternatives, and not engage in discriminatory practices, among other criteria.

Senate Bill 1301 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this month.

* WCIA…

A new state law signed on Friday will ensure that Illinois K-9 units receive veterinary care after they retire.

House Bill 3140 creates the Police K-9 Care Program and the Police K-9 Care Fund. Lawmakers said K-9s spend their entire lives protecting the state, and this new law will ensure that they also receive the protections and care they need.

Handlers would be reimbursed for a retired police dog’s veterinary care up to $1,500 per dog. This care could include annual wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention treatments, surgery and more. […]

The initiative was originally started by the Illinois State Police Command Officers Association and will be funded by the sale of Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Plates.

* WCIA…

Two bills seeking to make life easier for veterans and their family members just got the governor’s signature.

Senate bill 1160 allows people who served in the United Nations protection force in Somalia, Panama, or Grenada to apply for the forces license plate.

The second, House bill 2572, affects the Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant Act and Scholarship. This allows the veteran’s department to change the language surrounding the scholarship. Before this, they couldn’t change its rules. […]

Both bills will go into affect at the start of next year.

* Sen. Rachel Ventura and Rep. Hoan Huynh…

Under a new law led by State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Hoan Huynh, simulation training will be considered an approved form of continuing education for licensed health care professionals. […]

House Bill 3850 allows simulation training provided by an approved sponsor to count toward a licensed health care professional’s continuing education requirement, aiming to modernize professional education and help retain health care workers across Illinois.

Currently, simulation-based training for medical licenses is not required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. In an attempt to modernize current educational practices, the bill aims to add simulation training as an approved training tool for professional licensing, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning. […]

House Bill 3850 was signed into law on Aug. 15, and goes into effect immediately.