![]() ![]() The enactment of the Career Preservation and Student Loan Repayment Act shines a spotlight on the fact that Illinois makes it harder for people to enter many occupations by making it illegal to work in these fields without obtaining a state-issued license, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process. The newly enacted law reverses the former policy and provides: “o governmental agency or board … may impose or refer a matter to any other governmental agency to impose a denial, refusal to renew, suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary action upon a professional or occupational license … for a person’s delinquency, default, or other failure to perform on a educational loan or scholarship.” The hardships that often drive borrowers to fall behind on payments and the illogic of making it more difficult for defaulting borrowers to earn an income inspired legislation in the General Assembly in 2016 as well, but a bill to repeal the harsh licensing provisions died in the House of Representatives. And that’s not even counting Illinoisans who have borrowed money to attend community college, vocational or technical programs. A September 2017 report from the Institute for College Access and Success found 61 percent of Illinois graduates of four-year public and nonprofit colleges and universities from the class of 2016 had educational debt, totaling more than $29,200 on average. Department of Education, student loan debt is a significant problem for many. ![]() With $1.5 trillion in student loan debt nationally, and nearly 40 percent of borrowers at risk of defaulting by 2023, according to a Brookings Institution analysis of data from the U.S. Cosmetologists and dental hygienists have been among those affected by this law. Thus, if an Illinois licensed worker fell behind on student loan payments, state officials could refuse to grant a renewal of or suspend that person’s license, making it even harder for him or her to earn a living and repay the loan. Prior to the enactment of the Career Preservation and Student Loan Repayment Act, Illinois law directed the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to refuse a license or a license renewal to anyone in default on educational loans or scholarships guaranteed by any Illinois state agency, and allowed the department to grant or renew licenses only if the licensee in default was performing satisfactorily under a repayment plan. But lawmakers should go beyond amending the educational loan provision in Illinois’ administrative code: Illinois’ professional licensure requirements themselves should be re-examined. The new law is a step in the right direction toward dismantling the roadblocks that too often get in the way of struggling Illinoisans trying to earn a living. ![]() Scott Bennett, D-Champaign, introduced the measure, which passed 54-0 in the Illinois Senate and 104-3 in the House of Representatives. The new law will prevent Illinoisans who fall behind on student loan payments from having their professional licenses denied, revoked or suspended for that reason. Bruce Rauner signed into law the Career Preservation and Student Loan Repayment Act on Aug. Rauner signs bill preventing professional license suspension for student loan delinquenciesĪ new law will ensure Illinoisans don’t lose their right to practice their professions if they fall behind on student loan payments.
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