Slaughter-Backed Legislation Protects Families from Predatory Educational Planning Service Providers

CHICAGO – To protect families from being taken advantage of by the deceptive practices of unscrupulous educational planning service providers, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that introduces needed regulations for the industry.

“Companies that take advantage of the hopes of low-income and first-generation families must be held accountable for the bad faith business they do,” said Slaughter. “Families should not be trapped in unendurable contracts with shady businesses for services that they never received.”

Senate Bill 1085, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, introduces protections for families that hire educational planning service providers. These businesses are intended to provide services to families and college students, such as help with college and financial aid applications.

Unfortunately, some educational planning service providers target families with little experience with college or limited proficiency in English, often using misleading and dishonest sales tactics. Under this legislation, families will be able to cancel contracts at any time and businesses in violation of the law will have to provide families with a full refund, in addition to potentially facing an investigation by the Attorney General’s office.

“College is already a difficult process to navigate, and we must continue to always be on the side of our hardworking families and students,” said Slaughter. “I am thankful for the hard work from advocates and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission in getting these needed protections into law.”