SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) seeks to crack down on the practice of notaries falsely advertising legal services.

Martinez’s measure strengthens the notice requirements for people who are advertising notary public services in a language other than English and who are not licensed to practice law or accredited as an immigration representative.

“We know that there are some bad actors taking advantage of those for whom English is not their first language and charging them for services they are not legally able to provide,” Martinez said. “I am glad the governor took this issue seriously and signed my legislation into law.”

The bill also increases the fine for a violation of advertising notice requirements from $1,000 to $1,500.

House Bill 2176 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.