Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor

By Vincent Caruso

04/13/2018

Three proposals that would ease occupational licensing restrictions have reached the House floor, passing unanimously out of committee.

TAGS: occupational licensing, Tom Demmer

Senate bill would bar Illinois from axing occupational licenses due to student loan debt

By Vincent Caruso

04/09/2018

Under Illinois law, defaulting on student loan debt could jeopardize one’s occupational license. But a Senate bill would protect indebted workers from displacement.

TAGS: occupational licensing, student loans

Just reward: A 2017 comeback story for the ages

By Austin Berg

01/11/2018

State lawmakers would be wise to re-examine the barriers to second chances and first careers throughout the state.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Lisa Creason, occupational licensing

For your own good: Illinois the seventh-most ‘paternalistic’ state in the country, study finds

By Vincent Caruso

01/09/2018

The Land of Lincoln is also the land of “sin” taxes, “saint” subsidies and other nanny-like policies, according to a new study.

TAGS: alcohol tax, cigarette tax, occupational licensing, sales tax

Student loan troubles? Illinois officials can suspend your professional license

By Amy Korte

12/06/2017

Almost a quarter of Illinois workers need licenses to work in their professions, and workers who default on student loans can face the suspension of those licenses.

TAGS: higher education, occupational licensing, regulations, student loans