Lilly-Backed Measure Eases Occupational Licensing for Military Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – During Military Family Month, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly is highlighting a law she backed to ease occupational licensing requirements for military families in Illinois.

“Service members and their families sacrifice so much for our state and our nation that the least we can do as legislators is to ensure that service members and their spouses are able to work in their chosen profession in Illinois,” Lilly said. “Now, service members and their spouses won’t have to face undue hurdles when getting an occupational license in our state.”

Lilly backed House Bill 1652, which is now law in Illinois, to expedite the issuance of professional licenses for current and former service members and their spouses. Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) will be required to process occupational licensing applications for military personnel and their spouses with 60 days. Additionally, IDFPR will designate a military liaison to ensure that licensing applications from service members and their spouses are being approved in a timely manner and to coordinate with military facilities located in Illinois to help make service members and their families aware of occupational licensing opportunities in the state.

“Building a stronger Illinois means that we must support our veterans, our service members and military families,” Lilly said. “This new law to ease the burdens of occupational licensing for military spouses will help ensure that already qualified military spouses serving as nurses, social workers or teachers will be able to continue working in these professions in Illinois.”