Avelar Expands Language Equity and Accessibility Statewide

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Working to help people engage with government and access critical services in their preferred language, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, passed legislation through the House expanding language offerings in state offices. 

“Illinois faces a critical opportunity which can change lives for residents statewide — providing accessible resources for a significant community of people who don’t use English as their first language, or not at all,” Avelar said. “It’s more important than ever that we consider and adapt to the state’s colorful range of cultures and languages — we can do so by reshaping our state agencies to provide accessible and equitable assistance to all, especially the non-English speaking, immigrant communities that have been residing in and contributing to our state’s longevity for decades.”

The Avelar-led Senate Bill 3762 seeks to ensure each state agency has the resources or staffers to assist Illinoisans with limited English proficiency. By ensuring agencies have a communication plan to cater to preferred languages noted by Illinois respondents in the U.S. Census, Avelar’s bill will help people access state services, activities and resources, plus resolve issues in the language they are most comfortable with. 

Senate Bill 3762 passed out of the House Thursday and awaits the governor’s action. 

“We must cultivate language accessibility as a tool to create equal access to services, information and opportunities across our state,” said Avelar. “This piece of legislation holds power to reduce barriers for non-English or limited-English speakers seeking important services and promotes civic engagement in our residents statewide.”