Will County Gazette

No gaps in Illinois student agency.

Legislation passes both state houses that would ensure that student voices will still be heard in Illinois, past their expiration date. It only requires the governor's signature.

The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation, on May 27, that will mean that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will continue to have a student voice.

Sponsored by State Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville), House Bill 1802 will allow the student member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to retain his or her seat beyond the expiration of the term until a new student member is appointed to take their place.

"When ISAC doesn’t have a student commissioner, important policy discussions miss out on a student perspective," Sen. Ellman wrote in a June 3 Facebook post. "This ensures that Illinois students will always have a voice. House Bill 1802 passed the General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk."

Student commissioners currently serve two-year terms with new new student appointees filling in for vacancies as necessary. New students appointed to fill the gaps currently can only serve for the remainder of the initial term. This practice has led to gaps of student commissioners on ISAC, which causes delays in the commission's work.

ISAC provides Illinois students with resources and assistance to access education and training beyond high school.

House Bill 1802 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.