Rep. Tipsword’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Licensure Updates, New Laws, Fourth of July, and More

State Agencies

IDFPR Continues Licensure Improvements

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has announced that 18 more professions are now available for licensure via the Department's new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment).

The announcement marks the successful completion of CORE's Phase 2.2, with all of Phase 2 set for completion in the coming weeks. The Department will announce when each part of Phase 2 is completed, including which professions are added to CORE.

Full implementation of CORE is scheduled for August 2026. IDFPR will continue to update the public on significant updates throughout CORE's implementation, along with improvements to its current licensing processes.

More information can be found at this link: https://www.illinois.gov/…/31446-062725-6.27.25-core…

And on IDFPR's website: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/

New Laws

Democrats' tax hikes and several other new laws took effect in Illinois this week. Learn more here.

Lead Exposure Testing

The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced an expansion of the list of ZIP codes where lead exposure testing is required for children who live within those areas. The list now includes all nine counties that are a part of District 105. By this time next year, all remaining ZIP codes in the state will be included, implementing universal childhood lead testing statewide.

Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months. All children six years of age and younger are required to be assessed for lead exposure through the use of a questionnaire administered by a health care provider.

Learn more from the IDPH news release here.

Budget Gimmicks

It seems Democrats will do anything to avoid making structural reforms in Illinois, including robbing our state's road funds to pay for their wild spending habits. Dems' budget gimmicks aren't fooling anyone. We need fiscal sanity in Illinois. Read more here.

Property Taxes

It is convenient and ironic timing that the Governor now wants to make property taxes a priority. Over the last 7 years, he and supermajority Dems have done nothing to help lower property tax rates in Illinois. House Republicans have introduced numerous proposals over the years to reduce this burden on Illinois residents, and Dems have refused to call any of them. If the Governor is serious, then let's get it done. Call us to Springfield NOW so we can enact meaningful reforms and provide real relief to Illinois homeowners. Read more here.

Happy Fourth of July!

Please celebrate safely on this great Fourth of July weekend!