103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB2376 Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Karina Villa SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new Provides that all agency rules establishing procedures for contested cases may include procedures for requesting language assistance. Provides that, in a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for an administrative hearing after reasonable notice in the preferred spoken language of the parties, if known by the agency. Provides that notice for the administrative hearings shall include instructions at the top of the notice, written in, at a minimum, English, Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, for assistance in translating the contents of the notice, and a statement written in those languages. Defines "language assistance". Provides that the administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine if a participant in the hearing needs language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that if an individual for whom English is a second language knows some English, it should not prohibit that individual from being allowed to receive language assistance. Provides that the examination of the individual believed to be in need of language assistance must be done on the record, and the conclusion of the administrative law judge must be stated on the record. Provides that any party or witness has the right to request language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing at any time during the course of the hearing. Creates qualifications for the certification of administrative hearing interpreters. LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB2376 Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Karina Villa SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new Provides that all agency rules establishing procedures for contested cases may include procedures for requesting language assistance. Provides that, in a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for an administrative hearing after reasonable notice in the preferred spoken language of the parties, if known by the agency. Provides that notice for the administrative hearings shall include instructions at the top of the notice, written in, at a minimum, English, Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, for assistance in translating the contents of the notice, and a statement written in those languages. Defines "language assistance". Provides that the administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine if a participant in the hearing needs language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that if an individual for whom English is a second language knows some English, it should not prohibit that individual from being allowed to receive language assistance. Provides that the examination of the individual believed to be in need of language assistance must be done on the record, and the conclusion of the administrative law judge must be stated on the record. Provides that any party or witness has the right to request language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing at any time during the course of the hearing. Creates qualifications for the certification of administrative hearing interpreters. LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB2376 Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Karina Villa SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new Provides that all agency rules establishing procedures for contested cases may include procedures for requesting language assistance. Provides that, in a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for an administrative hearing after reasonable notice in the preferred spoken language of the parties, if known by the agency. Provides that notice for the administrative hearings shall include instructions at the top of the notice, written in, at a minimum, English, Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, for assistance in translating the contents of the notice, and a statement written in those languages. Defines "language assistance". Provides that the administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine if a participant in the hearing needs language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that if an individual for whom English is a second language knows some English, it should not prohibit that individual from being allowed to receive language assistance. Provides that the examination of the individual believed to be in need of language assistance must be done on the record, and the conclusion of the administrative law judge must be stated on the record. Provides that any party or witness has the right to request language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing at any time during the course of the hearing. Creates qualifications for the certification of administrative hearing interpreters. LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b A BILL FOR SB2376LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 AN ACT concerning State government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is 5 amended by changing Sections 10-10, 10-25, 10-45, 10-50, and 6 10-70 and by adding Section 10-25.1 as follows: 7 (5 ILCS 100/10-10) (from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10) 8 Sec. 10-10. Components of rules. All agency rules 9 establishing procedures for contested cases shall at a minimum 10 comply with the provisions of this Article 10. In addition, 11 agency rules establishing procedures may include, but need not 12 be limited to, the following components: pre-hearing 13 conferences, representation interview or deposition 14 procedures, default procedures, selection of administrative 15 law judges, the form of the final order, the standard of proof 16 used, which agency official makes the final decision, 17 representation of parties, procedure for requesting language 18 assistance, subpoena request procedures, discovery and 19 protective order procedures, and any review or appeal process 20 within the agency. 21 (Source: P.A. 87-823.) 22 (5 ILCS 100/10-25) (from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25) 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB2376 Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Karina Villa SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new Provides that all agency rules establishing procedures for contested cases may include procedures for requesting language assistance. Provides that, in a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for an administrative hearing after reasonable notice in the preferred spoken language of the parties, if known by the agency. Provides that notice for the administrative hearings shall include instructions at the top of the notice, written in, at a minimum, English, Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, for assistance in translating the contents of the notice, and a statement written in those languages. Defines "language assistance". Provides that the administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine if a participant in the hearing needs language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that if an individual for whom English is a second language knows some English, it should not prohibit that individual from being allowed to receive language assistance. Provides that the examination of the individual believed to be in need of language assistance must be done on the record, and the conclusion of the administrative law judge must be stated on the record. Provides that any party or witness has the right to request language assistance to participate in or understand the hearing at any time during the course of the hearing. Creates qualifications for the certification of administrative hearing interpreters. LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b A BILL FOR 5 ILCS 100/10-10 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-10 5 ILCS 100/10-25 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-25 5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new 5 ILCS 100/10-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45 5 ILCS 100/10-50 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50 5 ILCS 100/10-70 from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70 20 ILCS 405/600 new LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 2 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 2 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 2 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 Sec. 10-25. Contested cases; notice; hearing. 2 (a) In a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an 3 opportunity for a hearing after reasonable notice in the 4 preferred spoken language of the parties, if known by the 5 agency. The notice shall be served personally, by certified or 6 registered mail, by email as provided by Section 10-75, or as 7 otherwise provided by law upon the parties or their agents 8 appointed to receive service of process and shall include the 9 following: 10 (1) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the 11 hearing. 12 (2) A statement of the legal authority and 13 jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held. 14 (3) A reference to the particular Sections of the 15 substantive and procedural statutes and rules involved. 16 (4) Except where a more detailed statement is 17 otherwise provided for by law, a short and plain statement 18 of the matters asserted, the consequences of a failure to 19 respond, and the official file or other reference number. 20 (5) To the extent such information is available, the 21 names, phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing 22 addresses of the administrative law judge or designated 23 agency contact, the parties, and all other persons to whom 24 the agency gives notice of the hearing unless otherwise 25 confidential by law. 26 (6) Instructions at the top of the notice, written in, SB2376 - 2 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 3 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 3 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 3 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 at a minimum, English, Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, 2 Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, for assistance 3 in translating the contents of the notice. 4 (7) A statement written in, at a minimum, English, 5 Spanish, Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, 6 Korean, and Tagalog, of the right to request an 7 interpreter for the hearing. 8 (b) An opportunity shall be afforded all parties to be 9 represented by legal counsel and to respond and present 10 evidence and argument. 11 (c) Unless precluded by law, disposition may be made of 12 any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent 13 order, or default. 14 (Source: P.A. 100-880, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.) 15 (5 ILCS 100/10-25.1 new) 16 Sec. 10-25.1. Language Assistance. 17 (a) "Language assistance" means oral interpretation or 18 written or sight translation into English of a language other 19 than English or of English into another language for a party or 20 witness who cannot speak or understand English or who can do so 21 only with difficulty. "Sight translation" means the reading of 22 text written in one language by an interpreter who orally 23 translates it into another language. 24 (b) The administrative law judge has the duty to inquire 25 and determine if a participant in the hearing needs language SB2376 - 3 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 4 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 4 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 4 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. The 2 fact that an individual for whom English is a second language 3 knows some English should not prohibit that individual from 4 being allowed to receive language assistance. The examination 5 of the individual believed to be in need of language 6 assistance must be done on the record, and the conclusion of 7 the administrative law judge must be stated on the record. 8 (c) Any party or witness has the right to request language 9 assistance to participate in or understand the hearing at any 10 time during the course of the hearing. 11 (d) When language assistance is requested or determined to 12 be necessary by the administrative law judge, the agency must 13 appoint a certified, registered, or qualified interpreter, at 14 no cost to the person in need of the assistance. If it appears 15 that language assistance is needed but interpreters are not 16 available for the scheduled hearing, the administrative law 17 judge shall continue or postpone the hearing until appropriate 18 services can be provided. An unregistered interpreter should 19 be appointed only if the agency made reasonable efforts to 20 obtain a certified, registered, or qualified interpreter and 21 is not reasonably available. If the agency appoints an 22 unregistered interpreter, the administrative law judge must 23 examine the interpreter on the record to ensure the 24 interpreter is qualified to interpret in the hearing, has 25 proficiency in English and the foreign language, and does not 26 present a conflict of interest. SB2376 - 4 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 5 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 5 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 5 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 (1) Interpreters on the registry established pursuant 2 to Section 405-600 of the Department of Central Management 3 Services Law must be certified, registered, or qualified 4 for purposes of this Section. 5 (2) Court interpreters on the registry established 6 pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court Language Access 7 Policy recommended lists of court interpreters must be 8 certified, registered, or qualified for purposes of this 9 Section. 10 (e) The appointed interpreter must swear or affirm that he 11 or she: 12 (1) will make a true interpretation in an 13 understandable manner to the person for whom the 14 interpreter has been appointed; 15 (2) will repeat the statements of the person in need 16 of interpretation assistance in the English language to 17 the best of his or her ability; 18 (3) has not had any involvement in the issues of the 19 case before the hearing; and 20 (4) will not disclose privileged or confidential 21 communications to any person. 22 (f) If the party or witness in need of interpretation or an 23 attorney or advocate involved in the proceeding concludes that 24 the appointed interpreter is not interpreting communications 25 correctly, they may request the appointment of a different 26 interpreter. SB2376 - 5 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 6 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 6 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 6 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 (5 ILCS 100/10-45) (from Ch. 127, par. 1010-45) 2 Sec. 10-45. Proposal for decision. Except where otherwise 3 expressly provided by law, when in a contested case a majority 4 of the officials of the agency who are to render the final 5 decision has not heard the case or read the record, the 6 decision, if adverse to a party to the proceeding other than 7 the agency, shall not be made until a proposal for decision is 8 served upon the parties and an opportunity is afforded to each 9 party adversely affected to file exceptions and to present a 10 brief and, if the agency so permits, oral argument to the 11 agency officials who are to render the decision. The proposal 12 for decision shall contain a statement of the reasons therefor 13 and of each issue of fact or law necessary to the proposed 14 decision and shall be prepared by the persons who conducted 15 the hearing or one who has read the record. Where an 16 interpreter is appointed for a party in the hearing under 17 Section 10-25.1, the agency must provide a translation of the 18 proposal for decision or provide an interpreter for sight 19 translation of the proposal for decision to the party needing 20 language assistance. 21 (Source: P.A. 87-823.) 22 (5 ILCS 100/10-50) (from Ch. 127, par. 1010-50) 23 Sec. 10-50. Decisions and orders. 24 (a) A final decision or order adverse to a party (other SB2376 - 6 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 7 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 7 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 7 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 than the agency) in a contested case shall be in writing or 2 stated in the record. A final decision shall include findings 3 of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated. Findings of 4 fact, if set forth in statutory language, shall be accompanied 5 by a concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts 6 supporting the findings. If, in accordance with agency rules, 7 a party submitted proposed findings of fact, the decision 8 shall include a ruling upon each proposed finding. Parties or 9 their agents appointed to receive service of process shall be 10 notified either personally, by registered or certified mail, 11 by email as provided by Section 10-75, or as otherwise 12 provided by law. Upon request a copy of the decision or order 13 shall be delivered or mailed forthwith to each party and to his 14 attorney of record. Where an interpreter is appointed for a 15 party in the hearing under Section 10-25.1, the agency must 16 provide a translation of the proposal for decision or provide 17 an interpreter to sight translate the proposal for decision to 18 the party needing language assistance. 19 (b) All agency orders shall specify whether they are final 20 and subject to the Administrative Review Law. Every final 21 order shall contain a list of all parties of record to the case 22 including the name and address of the agency or officer 23 entering the order and the addresses of each party as known to 24 the agency where the parties may be served with pleadings, 25 notices, or service of process for any review or further 26 proceedings. Every final order shall also state whether the SB2376 - 7 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 8 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 8 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 8 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 rules of the agency require any motion or request for 2 reconsideration and cite the rule for the requirement. The 3 changes made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General 4 Assembly apply to all actions filed under the Administrative 5 Review Law on or after the effective date of this amendatory 6 Act of the 100th General Assembly. 7 (c) A decision by any agency in a contested case under this 8 Act shall be void unless the proceedings are conducted in 9 compliance with the provisions of this Act relating to 10 contested cases, except to the extent those provisions are 11 waived under Section 10-70 and except to the extent the agency 12 has adopted its own rules for contested cases as authorized in 13 Section 1-5. 14 (Source: P.A. 100-212, eff. 8-18-17; 100-880, eff. 1-1-19; 15 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.) 16 (5 ILCS 100/10-70) (from Ch. 127, par. 1010-70) 17 Sec. 10-70. Waiver. 18 (a) Compliance with any or all of the provisions of this 19 Act concerning contested cases may be waived by written 20 stipulation of all parties. 21 (b) Where an administrative law judge has determined that 22 a party needs language assistance to understand or participate 23 in the hearing under Section 10-25.1, the parties must include 24 a signed written stipulation in the preferred language of the 25 party in need of language assistance. SB2376 - 8 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 9 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 9 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 9 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 (c) A written stipulation waiving any of the provisions in 2 Sections 10-25, 10-25.1, 10-45, and 10-50 of this Act about 3 language assistance may be withdrawn by the party in need of 4 language assistance by oral declaration at hearing or in a 5 written declaration at any time. A withdrawal of the waiver, 6 in compliance with this subsection (c), will require 7 compliance of the language assistance provisions of this Act 8 going forward in the proceeding. 9 (Source: P.A. 87-823.) 10 Section 10. The Department of Central Management Services 11 Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by 12 adding Section 600 as follows: 13 (20 ILCS 405/600 new) 14 Sec. 600. Certification of administrative hearing 15 interpreters. 16 (a) The Department shall compile, maintain, and 17 disseminate a current registry of foreign language 18 interpreters certified, qualified, and registered by the 19 Department that meet the minimum standards in interpreting 20 skills and linguistic abilities developed by the Department. 21 Any certified, qualified, and registered interpreter listed 22 may be examined by each employing agency to determine the 23 interpreter's knowledge of the employing agency's technical 24 program terminology and procedures. For purposes of this SB2376 - 9 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 10 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 10 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 10 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 section, the following definitions apply: 2 (1) "Certified interpreter" means a foreign language 3 interpreter certified pursuant to the program established 4 by the Department and listed on the Department's statewide 5 registry. 6 (2) "Qualified interpreter" means a foreign language 7 interpreter qualified pursuant to the program established 8 by the Department and listed on the Department's statewide 9 registry. 10 (3) "Registered interpreter" means a foreign language 11 interpreter registered pursuant to the program established 12 by the Department and listed on the Department's statewide 13 registry. 14 (b) The Department shall designate the languages for 15 certification. The Department may stop providing an 16 examination for the certification of a language if it finds 17 that there is an insufficient need for interpreting assistance 18 in the language using the criteria in subsection (c). 19 (c) The language designations shall be based on the 20 following: 21 (1) The language needs of non-English-speaking persons 22 appearing before the administrative agencies as determined 23 by consultation with the agencies. 24 (2) The cost of developing a language examination. 25 (3) The availability of experts needed to develop a 26 language examination. SB2376 - 10 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376- 11 -LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 11 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b SB2376 - 11 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b 1 (4) Other information the department deems relevant. 2 (d) The Department may charge reasonable fees to 3 interpreters for applying, testing, training, certification, 4 registration, and renewal of registration. SB2376 - 11 - LRB103 28553 DTM 54934 b