SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, working to help food service workers keep more of their money, passed legislation through a House committee this week to eliminate a burdensome certification fee.

“I am always looking for ways to lower costs and help people who are working hard to make ends meet,” Burke said. “Illinois is one of the only states to require food service workers to pay a fee to submit their certification and it’s not right to put this burden on our residents.”

Burke is sponsoring House Bill 3684, which eliminates the fees currently assessed against individuals seeking a food service sanitation manager certification or recertification. Currently, workers seeking a food service sanitation manager certification are assessed a $35 fee. Illinois is one of only a few states to that require a separate food handling certificate and fee in addition to the national food handling certificate. Burke worked with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association to craft this legislation to lower costs for Illinois workers.

“Anytime we can provide financial relief to workers, we should act,” Burke said. “I appreciate the Illinois Retail Merchants Association bringing this to my attention and I look forward to helping Illinois workers keep more of their hard-earned money.”