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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt sponsored a newly signed law that will expand the workforce pipeline to get more Certified Nursing Assistants working in the long-term care industry.

“Nursing assistants are a vital cog in our health care system,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Expanding the workforce pipeline for Certified Nursing Assistants will not only reduce the time-to-hire for trainees, but it will also provide trainees with more opportunities to learn and adapt.”

Senate Bill 3766 will allow assisted living and supportive living facilities to host supervised clinical experiences for certified nursing assistant training programs in order to expand Illinois’ long-term care workforce pipeline. The bill also requires the Health Care Worker Registry to include information identifying where an individual received clinical training.

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to reduce unfair barriers to employment for people living with disabilities was signed into law.

“Everyone in our state deserves the opportunity to earn a living and support their family,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Too many people are being shut out of good jobs because of requirements that have nothing to do with the work, and this measure will help change that.”

The legislation will prohibit employers and employment agencies from requiring applicants to have a valid driver’s license in job postings unless driving is an essential function of the position and is considered a business necessity.

Currently, many job descriptions continue to include driver’s license requirements regardless of whether operating a vehicle is actually necessary for the role. Advocates estimate nearly 1.85 million Illinoisans face barriers to employment because they do not possess a driver’s license, including many people with disabilities who rely on public transportation, paratransit services, rides from caregivers or family members or other accessible transportation options.

SPRINGFIELD– Legislation championed by State Senator Christopher Belt to expand access to mental health resources and strengthen suicide prevention efforts has been signed into law.

“Too many families have experienced the heartbreak of losing a loved one to suicide,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This will help ensure people know where to turn during a crisis and give our communities additional tools to bolster suicide prevention efforts.”

The new law will increase awareness of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by requiring contact information for the service to be prominently displayed in public buildings throughout Illinois. The law will also expand mental health education for students in grades six through 12 by incorporating evidence-based suicide prevention instruction into comprehensive health education courses.

Additionally, the law will strengthen support for individuals transitioning from incarceration by requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide suicide prevention information and resources to people preparing for release.

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 was signed into law.

“Cash is still necessary for many working people and seniors across our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law ensures no one is turned away from making a purchase because they choose to pay with the money they have in their pocket.”

Belt’s law will prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 or posting signage that cash is not accepted. The law includes reasonable exceptions, including retailers with self-service checkout but at least one staffed cash register, late-night sales after 10 p.m. and retailers offering prepaid card systems that allow cash conversion.

The law will focus on retail transactions and would not affect local government payments. The legislation reflects a growing recognition that, while digital payments are convenient, access to cash remains essential for many households across Illinois.

House Bill 4592 was signed into law on Friday.