SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – Starting July 1, 2025, people attending administrative hearings at state agencies in Illinois will have the right to competent and accurate language assistance, thanks to a new law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday.
The initiative, championed by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), requires state agencies to provide interpreters for self-represented and low-income individuals with limited English proficiency during all stages of a substantive administrative hearing. This includes hearings that cover a wide range of issues, from parking tickets to regulation disputes.
The law aims to eliminate language barriers, ensuring that individuals who face challenges with English can fully participate in and understand the hearings that impact their lives. This will particularly help self-represented individuals and low-income residents, ensuring they receive fair access to justice and government services.