SPRINGFIELD – An initiative spearheaded by State Senator Karina Villa to secure competent and accurate language assistance during state agency administrative hearings was signed into law Friday.
“State administrative hearings are utilized by everyone – from parking tickets to regulation disputes,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This law ensures that everyone can access the resources our state government offers without facing a language barrier.”
The new law requires state agencies to provide competent and accurate interpretive assistance for self-represented and low-income individuals with limited English proficiency during any stage of a substantive administrative hearing.
Substantive administrative hearings result in a ruling under the authority of state agencies, which can be life altering. This law ensures individuals who need language assistance are properly informed and have a critical understanding about the procedures they are undergoing.
“Language access in government procedures is necessary to ensure our communities benefit equitably from state services,” said Villa. “Thousands of people across Illinois prefer to communicate in a language other than English. This will help these individuals receive critical support and information.”
House Bill 5172 was signed Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2025.
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