Benton Works to Waive Exam, License Fees for Military Members, Spouses

PLAINFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, is helping military families work in Illinois by passing a bipartisan bill to cut professional license fees for service members and their spouses.

“Military members and their families consistently represent the best that Illinois, and the United States, have to offer,” Benton said. “Not only that, they’ve already given society more than we can ever fully repay, and risked sacrificing even more than that. When they are transferred to Illinois, it doesn’t make sense for them to have to pay to reobtain their professional certifications. For military spouses to have to pay to recertify in their professions because their family is transferred to Illinois is also unfair.”

Benton’s House Bill 3295 would require that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) eliminate application, examination and licensing fees for military members and their spouses. Benton received bipartisan support for the bill in the House. The measure now awaits approval in the Senate.

“Supporting our troops has to be more than just words we say,” Benton said. “This bill doesn’t just represent a matching of action to word. It represents our commitment to supporting and reducing burdens on our hardworking and ever-sacrificing military families. This is, very simply, the right thing to do. When we take care of those who take care of us, everyone benefits and we move Illinois forward.”

Benton’s constituent service office can be reached at 815-254-0000 or jessicah@repharrybenton.com.