SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes’ initiative to expand personal care provider eligibility to include a person’s guardian, kin or siblings was signed into law Friday.

“Illinois residents have been pushing for personal care provider qualifications to include family members for a long time,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This law will ensure that family members can assist loved ones without hurting their eligibility for benefits.”

Work to protect marginalized employees following the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1515 will continue 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes and State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado announced that they would continue their work to protect marginalized employees following the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1515 that Cervantes sponsored in the Senate and Delgado led through the House.

SB1515 is aimed at protecting our immigration community, yet it fell short from its intention. Instead of moving forward with legislation that may not make Illinois a national example in protecting our immigrant community, Senator Cervantes, Representative Delgado, the Governor and advocates unanimously decided the best approach is to introduce a new bill that will make us leaders in the nation.

“We brought this legislation forward to protect employees and ensure Illinois is following through to protect workers’ rights,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve our goal with this legislation but the job does not stop there. I want to assure residents that I am committed to getting this measure right to protect our community.”

Delgado added, “Senator Cervantes and I are committed to continuing our work to protect all workers and determine a secure path for advancing workers’ rights in the workplace. No one should find themselves subject to, or in fear of name or social security number discrepancy notifications and we remain focused on working together with the Governor's office, labor leaders and advocates to bring forth a permanent solution for consideration during session in the fall.”

Senate Bill 1515 was vetoed by the governor on Friday. Cervantes and Delgado pledge to continue conversations and work with the administration and advocates to bring forth a solution for potential review in the fall veto session.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes’ measure to prohibit all drivers from using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois, including any video conferencing or social media applications, was signed into law Friday.

”This law will ensure Illinoisans are driving safely and not endangering anyone else on the roadways,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This law takes action against drivers video calling and not paying attention to the road. I am proud to play a part in making Illinois a safer place for everyone.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes spearheaded a new law that will waive certain requirements for veterans and those without a social security number who are seeking a real estate license.

”This law assists veterans and immigrants who are going to continue their real estate career in Illinois and have run into barriers in their continuing education requirements,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With this law, we will help individuals reinstate their real estate license and continue their practice in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes sponsored legislation that would prohibit all drivers from using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois, including any video conferencing or social media applications.

“We are prioritizing safety with this legislation, because no video call is worth someone getting hurt,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We are taking action against drivers who put themselves and everyone around them in danger with straightforward legislation that will protect Illinois drivers.”

House Bill 2431 would make it illegal to use any electronic communications devices 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 bill prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist military service members and immigrants in getting into the real estate industry, State Senator Javier Cervantes is leading a measure that will waive certain requirements for veterans and those without a social security number who are seeking a real estate license.

“We are removing the red tape on real estate licensing for veterans and immigrants wishing to continue their real estate career here in Illinois,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This will ensure that those who may feel left out of the market can find licensing opportunities and continue to practice their profession.”

Senate Bill 1866 creates the Real Estate Omnibus, which will remove barriers faced by veterans and Immigrants who are trying to obtain licensing for real estate.

Under this measure, veterans will have all continuing education requirements waived upon seeking reactivation of their real estate license within two years after their time in service. This will also waive requirements for Social Security Numbers and will allow those with individual Taxpayer ID Numbers to apply for a license in real estate or as community association managers, auctioneers, or home inspectors.

Under the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board, those who are seeking auctioneer licenses and have attended courses in this area will also be accepted for licensure.

“Many folks are running into barriers that will not let them enter a career in real estate due to their military status or their immigration status,” Cervantes said. “This legislation removes these barriers and gives our residents more agency over their career in real estate.”

Senate Bill 1866 passed the Senate on Thursday and will now head to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To support working Illinois residents who may be fearful of their job security, State Senator Javier Cervantes advanced legislation to protect immigrant employees who are working legally within the United States.

”For years I stood beside marginalized groups as they fought for the same rights as everyone else,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This is a huge win for employees working legally in the United States who may be fearful of their job security, and I am thrilled to see this legislation move forward.”

Currently, federal immigration law requires employers to verify that their employees are lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Immigrants who are employed have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter from the Social Security Administration for a variety of reasons such as name changes, work authorizations, employment visas and other bureaucratic errors. Usually, employers terminate employees who receive a “no match” letter even though these employees could be legally working in the United States.

SPRINGFIELD – To allow residents working in Illinois to know for certain that their employment is safe, State Senator Javier Cervantes is working to pass legislation that will protect immigrant employees who are working legally within the United States.

“Currently, employers can use the E-Verify system to target and discriminate against immigrant employees, creating undue stress on their employment,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “When someone goes to work, they shouldn’t have to worry about their employer reporting them unknowingly and should be given some reasonable transparency to this process.”

Currently, federal immigration law requires employers to verify that their employees are lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Immigrants who are employed have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter from the Social Security Administration for a variety of reasons such as name changes, work authorizations, employment visas and other bureaucratic errors. Usually, employers terminate employees who receive a “no match” letter even though these employees could be legally working in the United States.