SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure designed to remove unfair barriers to employment for people living with disabilities.
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“People living with disabilities deserve the same opportunity to work, build a career and live with dignity as anyone else,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “They should not be denied opportunities because of outdated hiring practices that fail to account for how people actually travel in their communities.”
The legislation would 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.
House Bill 4758 passed the Senate Labor Committee on Tuesday.
