SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for immigrant employees, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes’ new law will protect marginalized workers from unfair enforcement action during their employment.

“Many immigrant employees have run into a problem where their documentation may have misinput their name with slight differences of dashes, spaces, letters with or without an accent, only to be flagged during the work verification process,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With this law, we can correct bureaucratic errors that would otherwise be detrimental to their income and livelihoods. By adjusting the system to allow workers more time to correct issues with documentation, we can make a huge impact for marginalized workers across Illinois.”

Federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees upon receiving this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes is making it easier to cancel unwanted gym memberships thanks to legislation that he passed through the Senate to streamline how people can cancel a contract.

“Giving consumers simple and efficient methods to cancel their subscription or contract helps ensure they don’t fall victim to confusing subscription services that automatically renew payments for services they no longer use,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This legislation will simply update business practices to fit with modern times.”

Under the new legislation, businesses offering physical fitness services, like gym memberships, would have to allow customers to cancel their contract either online or by email, instead of only by mail or in-person.

SPRINGFIELD – To clarify and provide more transparency on criminal possession charges, State Senator Javier Cervantes is moving legislation to retitle these charges to more accurately reflect the nature of the crimes. 

“With this change, we can provide more clarity around criminal charges, and in turn, more support for those charged – particularly minorities who are disproportionately arrested for these crimes,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “The unlawful use of a weapon might seem like it indicates violent activities, while in reality these charges could be as simple as possessing a firearm at the time of arrest. By clarifying the name of these charges, we can help impacted individuals find better access to supportive services.”

According to Cabrini Green Legal Aid, more than 86,500 people have been arrested and more than 33,000 were convicted of unlawful use of a weapon in Illinois since 2009. This disproportionately impacts people and communities of color, with Black individuals comprising 69% of all people arrested for UUW, and negatively affects people’s ability to secure housing and employment.

SPRINGFIELD – Across Illinois, tens of thousands of people found to be in possession of a weapon unlawfully are charged with crimes like unlawful use of a weapon or labeled armed habitual criminals – despite the fact that more than half of these individuals have never been convicted of a crime of violence. That’s why State Senator Javier Cervantes is moving legislation to retitle these charges to more accurately reflect the nature of the crimes. 

“This directly affects minority communities around the state, and by changing the name of these offenses, we can more accurately assess the crimes committed,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Most people reading a criminal history would assume that unlawful use of a weapon indicates far more dangerous activity than in reality, but making this change can provide clarity and ensure those assumptions don’t prevent people from accessing services later in life.”

SPRINGFIELD – To make canceling physical fitness services easier for customers, State Senator Javier Cervantes is moving legislation to require these services have easy and simple ways to cancel a contract.

“This is a simple matter of updating business practices to fit with modern times,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Giving consumers simple and efficient methods to cancel their subscription or contract is one way we can ensure residents are not falling victim to automatically renewing payments for services they no longer use.”

Under the new legislation, businesses offering physical fitness services like gym memberships would need to allow customers to cancel their contract either online or by email, instead of only by mail.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes passed a bill in the Senate to expand real estate licensing in Illinois to brokers licensed in another state.

“To modernize our real estate practices in Illinois, this legislation would promote greater diversity in the market for many residents to utilize,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Allowing more brokers and managers from other states to operate in Illinois would benefit our residents and the businesses wanting to operate in our state.”

Senate Bill 3740 would require brokers and managing brokers licensed in another state who are applying for licensure in Illinois to follow specific guidelines to obtain licensure.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Javier Cervantes prohibits people from using social media or video calling apps while driving in Illinois starting Jan. 1.

“I am proud of the collaborative work we have done to protect Illinois drivers and ensure safe practices while driving in Illinois,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This law will take action against drivers who neglectfully put others’ lives at risk. I want to thank community advocates and the Secretary of State’s office for working with us to protect Illinois residents.”

House Bill 2431 prohibits the use of any electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, including the use of cell phones and tablets for streaming videos and participating in video conferences on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WebEx. Additionally, the law prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing his advocacy for immigrant employees following the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1515 earlier this summer, State Senator Javier Cervantes brought forth a new plan that would protect marginalized workers and give employees time to correct employment verification document discrepancies before an enforcement action is taken against them.

“Throughout my years working alongside labor and health care organizations, I have seen employees hurt by this process,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “In working with the governor’s office and advocacy groups, we are confident we have come up with a plan that will protect employees and work for everyone involved in the verification process.”

Currently, federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees who receive this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.