ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Students seeking a master’s degree in social work will be able to take their licensing exam sooner thanks to a new law introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

“Students of social work will now be licensed upon graduation and able to apply for jobs sooner,” said Gillespie. “Our state is facing a social worker shortage, so this new law will allow us to mitigate that much quicker.”

Senate Bill 1888 allows students in a master’s program for social work to take their licensing exam in their final semester. Before this amendment, students needed to wait until after their degree was awarded.

The legislation was an initiative of the National Association of Social Workers and passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 1888 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – A harmful chemical found in most common receipt papers is now prohibited from being used in Illinois thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used in thermal receipt papers to develop color that has been found to have negative reproductive and developmental side effects in animals.

“Retail employees and consumers are exposed to BPA every time they handle a receipt,” said Gillespie. “We must protect our workers, and ensure a safe work environment free from potential harm.”

BPA has been banned from being used in other products such as water bottles and packaging for infant care products. Illinois is the second state to ban BPA in receipt papers, following a similar ban in Connecticut.

House Bill 2076 takes effect immediately.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Students will be able to more easily find local job opportunities with a work-based learning database that was created under a new law sponsored by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

House Bill 2868 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop and maintain a work-based learning database to help facilitate relationships between schools and local businesses.

“Making these jobs easily accessible to young people will allow them to earn money and gain valuable industry skills,” said Gillespie. “Schools and employers will also develop working relationships that will be mutually beneficial, creating a school-to-work pipeline.”

House Bill 2868 is effective immediately.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie’s (D-Arlington Heights) proposed grant program designed to close educational and employment shortfalls in the manufacturing, health care and innovative technology industries was signed into law.

Senate Bill 1919 creates the 21st Century Employment Grant Program. The program creates an advisory board of employers, educators and unions to analyze shortfalls in work skills needed today and for the future. Grants from the program will be awarded to community colleges and high schools working with local businesses to develop those skills in their students while filling job vacancies in the community.

“Employers want to be based in states that make long-term investments in their workforce,” said Gillespie. “Not only will this measure fill well-paying jobs that already exist, but they will also make Illinois more attractive to prospective employers and create jobs in every community.”

The Illinois Community College Board will track the progress of each grant recipient to ensure that the educational and employment goals in their community are being met.

Senate Bill 1919 is effective immediately.