SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to expedite the issuance of professional licenses, championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“This measure cuts red tape for new professionals entering the workforce,” Joyce said. “Advocating for hard-working Illinoisans is my top priority and this legislation does just that.”

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.

“New professionals are waiting months to receive a license that they are qualified for and need to enter the workforce,” Joyce said. “While I appreciate the department’s efforts to reduce processing times with electronic renewals, I believe this legislation will help speed up the process.”

Senate Bill 670 moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To help eliminate the teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure out of the Senate to increase the number of days substitute teachers may cover for licensed teachers in the classroom.

“This measure will help our superintendents deal with the ongoing teacher shortage,” Joyce said. “This legislation allows substitutes to stay in the same classroom for longer, giving students more consistency.”

Currently, Illinois law allows substitute teachers to cover for a licensed teachers for up to 90 days. Joyce’s measure would increase the amount of days substitute teachers can stay in the classroom to 120. This measure helps keep substitute teachers in the same classroom, instead of having to teach lessons they are less familiar with after 90 days.

There are currently 4,120 unfilled positions in Illinois schools. This number includes administrative, school support personnel and teaching positions. Find out more information on the teacher shortage from the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Senate Bill 3893 cleared the Senate and advances to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aims to maximize Illinois’ ability to capture federal funding for broadband under the federal Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act.

“There will be billions of federal dollars across the country available for broadband expansion,” Joyce said. “This bill not only safeguards how those funds are spent, but it also puts a plan in place to grow the federal dollars flowing into Illinois.”

Under IIJA, if Illinois applies for federal dollars to assist with broadband expansion, they are only guaranteed an initial allotment of $100 million. This measure tasks DCEO with administering a grant program to distribute the broadband dollars. Funds are distributed based on a state’s demonstrated need for broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, and the State’s ability to deploy such services.

“This opportunity will help Illinois expand its broadband network in communities across the state,” Joyce said. “Closing the digital divide in underserved areas will give our children access to more opportunities.”

Senate Bill 3683 passed the Executive Committee Wednesday and awaits further consideration before the full Senate.