CHICAGO – During the spring legislative session, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas was proud to support two pieces of legislation to help high school and college students access their transcripts without having to worry about unpaid debts.
“When a student works hard to make their grades, they deserve access to those records to assist them in applying for further education or jobs,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “High schoolers especially might struggle with paying fees if they come from a financially insecure household, but that shouldn’t prevent them from accessing their transcripts.”
Pacione-Zayas co-sponsored House Bill 4243, which prohibits public high schools from withholding a student’s grades, transcripts or diploma due to unpaid balances on the student’s account. The new law aims to grant students access to these documents and not rely on their or their family’s ability to pay balances.
Read more: Pacione-Zayas supports new laws to prohibit withholding transcripts for unpaid fees
Springfield - Illinois students will soon have more options to protect themselves from falling behind on debt after a measure supported by State Senator Robert Peters became law.
“Student debt has become a systemic issue for our young people and for the economy as a whole,” said Peters (D- Chicago). “As students seek jobs following graduation, it’s important that their debt does not hold them back from opportunities.”
The new law, formerly known as SB 3032, prohibits Illinois higher education institutions from withholding a student's transcript as a means of collecting past-due student debt owed to the institution. Additionally, the measure prevents institutions from withholding a student’s official transcript from a current or potential employer as a means of collecting a student's past debt.
Read more: Peters-supported measure to fight for student debt relief becomes law
CHICAGO – Transparency for Chicago residents who live in high rises will increase thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that was signed into law Friday.
“After the condominium collapse in Seaside, Florida, constituents became weary of the high rises in Chicago,” Feigenholtz said. “Condominium associations need to be reliable and transparent to tenants about renovations, repairs and updates to their buildings.”
A reserve study helps identify the stability of the condominium association’s finances and assists in planning ahead for costs associated with common area maintenance expenditures. This study helps homeowners and condominium associations determine how much in reserve funds should be maintained.
SPRINGFIELD – Condominium owners may soon see reduced fees thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.
“No one should have to pay excessive fees to get the documents required by law to sell their property,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This new law protects residents from exorbitant fees and will ensure that they receive necessary documentation in a reasonable time.”
Under current law, a seller must provide prospective buyers several documents concerning the condominium owner association, including governance documents, anticipated expenditures, COA funds in reserve, and more. House Bill 5246 caps the amount of fees a condominium association may charge to retrieve or copy those records at $375, and no more than $100 for rush service. The new law further requires that those documents be produced within 10 days of the request.
Read more: Condo association fees capped under new Loughran Cappel law
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