SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would allow the student member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to retain their seat until a new member is appointed passed the General Assembly on Thursday.

“It’s important that there’s always student representation on the Student Assistance Commission,” Ellman said. “It can’t truly perform its mission without the student perspective.”

ISAC’s mission is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.

The legislation would allow the student member of the commission to retain their seat beyond the expiration of their term until a new and qualified student member is appointed. The measure would also replace gendered pronouns when referring to the student member

“When ISAC doesn’t have a student commissioner, important policy discussions miss out on a student perspective,” Ellman said. “This ensures that Illinois students will always have a voice.”

Currently, the student commissioner's term is two years. If a vacancy occurs during the term, a new student appointee filling a vacancy may serve only for the remainder of that term. This has led to gaps between student commissioners, leaving the commission without a student perspective. It also contributes to delays in the commission's work when meetings have to be rescheduled due to lack of quorum.

House Bill 1802 passed the General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk.