SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure from state Rep Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, to promote the use of blockchain technology by businesses in Illinois is now law.

“Building a stronger Illinois means supporting innovations like blockchain technology that will help make our state more attractive to new businesses and technology entrepreneurs,” Harper said. “The possibilities of blockchain technology, from banking to retail, have the ability to fundamentally reshape our economy in a positive manner.”

Harper sponsored House Bill 2540 to develop opportunities for the adoption of blockchain technology by businesses in Illinois. Under Harper’s bill, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is required to include discussion of blockchain technology in its business support and economic development programs by highlighting educational and workforce opportunities related to this emerging technology, including in the banking, insurance, retail and service sectors. Harper’s measure also requires the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to study the application of blockchain technology to banking and report regulatory recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by the beginning of 2021.

“To be a leader in the modern economy, help provide good jobs to every part of Illinois and build a stronger middle class, our state must take the opportunity to capitalize on the emergence of new technologies like blockchain,” Harper said. “I’m thankful to my colleagues in the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for recognizing the importance of adopting and promoting blockchain technology in Illinois.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help expand and grow the practical applications of emerging technologies in Illinois, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, recently won support from a House panel for legislation to help innovative new businesses take root in local communities.

“To make Illinois a more attractive place to live and work, we must support innovations such as blockchain that can make our state a leader in new applications of technology for businesses and consumers,” Harper said. “But it’s not just about supporting businesses, it’s also about the need to use state-of-the-art technology to make government more accessible and open to citizens.”

Harper introduced House Bill 2540 and recently advanced the measure out of the House Commercial Law Subcommittee. Harper’s bill creates two new entities for organizing a business: personal information protection companies (PIPC) and blockchain-based limited liability companies (BBLLC). Businesses designed to provide consumer data protection services could organize as a PIPC and businesses that use blockchain for the main portion of their activities could utilize a custom governance structure that recognizes the open, decentralized nature of blockchain technology as a BBLLC. Additionally, the bill would require state government to study and deliver a report to the General Assembly on utilizing blockchain technology to store public records.

“Illinois has a unique chance to become a leader in supporting innovative applications of blockchain technology to develop new businesses and to make government more transparent,” said Harper. “I urge my Democratic and Republican colleagues in the House to support this measure to make Illinois a technology leader.”

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, visited Coordinated Youth and Human Services’ (CYHS) recently opened STEM lab this week to discuss the benefit of science-based programs for students with autism and other special needs.

“As a state representative and former math teacher, I know firsthand the importance of STEM programs in our schools,” Stuart said. “I am grateful for the work that Coordinated Youth and Human Services does in our community, and I am excited to see their new STEM lab making an impact on our students.”

CYHS is a local organization that provides educational, social and health services to individuals with special needs. The organization recently opened a new STEM lab in August of 2018 as part of their Educational Enhancement Program to further assist students in reaching their academic potential.

“The work that CYHS does here in our community is invaluable, and their new STEM lab will broaden the horizons of the students they serve,” Stuart said. “I look forward to hearing the many success stories of students who benefit from their program.”

CHICAGO, Ill. – In an effort to protect public data and improve the cybersecurity of state agencies, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, passed legislation out of the House that would create a new division under the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to identify cybersecurity flaws and data breach risks.

“Residents of the state are trusting us with personal data and information and we need to ensure the security of that information,” Andrade said.  “There has been an increase in the hacking of public information over the past few years and we need to work proactively in Illinois to improve the cybersecurity and protect the data of state agencies.”

Andrade’s proposal, House Bill 3737, creates the Division of Cybersecurity Inspection (DCI) under the DoIT. DCI will have authority to review all state agency websites under the jurisdiction of the governor to find security flaws and identify data breach risks.

“By examining the current status of cybersecurity and potential for data breaches of state agency websites we can work to stay one step ahead of the cyber-criminals looking to profit from residents’ private data,” Andrade said. “I am encouraged that the proposal we met with strong bipartisan support in the House and am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate and the Governor to ensure that this proposal is enacted into law.”

House Bill 3737 recently passed the House with bipartisan support and is awaiting further consideration in the Senate.