summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; oaths, subpoenas, and penalties; applicants with criminal convictions; qualification for licensure or registration; health care worker licensure actions; automatic suspension of a health care worker's license; the publication of disciplinary actions; and records of Department actions. Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. In provisions concerning required licensure, provides that an application shall not be automatically placed on hold, delayed, denied, or otherwise not processed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation because it was submitted by a person who is incarcerated. Amends the Health Care Professional Credentials Data Collection Act. In provisions concerning licensure records, provides that licensure records designated confidential and considered sealed (rather than expunged) for reporting purposes by the licensee are not reportable under the Act. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In provisions concerning loss and restoration of rights, provides that no application for specific licenses granted under the authority of the State shall be denied to (rather than denied by reason of) an eligible offender who has obtained a certificate of relief from disabilities, having been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses (rather than or by reason of a finding of lack of "good moral character"), when the finding is solely based upon the fact that the applicant has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, except for certain circumstances. Repeals provisions concerning the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's annual report to the General Assembly. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, the Reducing Barriers to Licensure Act, aims to streamline the licensing process in Illinois by removing unnecessary obstacles, particularly for individuals with past criminal convictions. Key provisions include preventing the automatic denial or delay of professional licenses for incarcerated applicants, ensuring that sealed or expunged (meaning officially removed from public record) criminal records are not used to deny licensure, and clarifying that a conviction alone, without a direct link to the profession's duties or posing an unreasonable risk to public safety, should not prevent someone from obtaining a license, especially if they have obtained a certificate of relief from disabilities, which is a document that can restore certain rights lost due to a conviction. The bill also modifies how disciplinary actions are handled, changing the term "expunged" to "sealed" for certain records and establishing clearer guidelines for when disciplinary records are removed from public view. Additionally, it addresses automatic license suspensions for health care workers convicted of certain fraud offenses and makes changes to how the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR), the state agency responsible for licensing, handles and reports disciplinary actions. Finally, the bill repeals provisions related to the DFPR's annual report to the General Assembly.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/06/2026)
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