Aquino moves to streamline architecture licensing process to address disparities

State Senator Omar Aquino passed a measure through the Senate Friday to remove timeline barriers to licensing for new architects in Illinois.

“By incorporating recommendations adopted at the federal level, we are aligning architecture licensing standards while removing barriers that have an inequitable impact on applicants from different backgrounds,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Removing the five-year cap will expand inclusivity and diversity within the profession and contribute to the growth of the field for future architects in Illinois.”

Last year, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards retired a licensing standard known as the “rolling clock policy” that required individuals seeking licensure to successfully complete all six divisions of the standard Architect Registration Examination within five years of passing the first exam division. After five years, exam results would be rendered invalid and individuals seeking licensure would have to start the exam process over. Among other factors, this timeline has resulted in an increased rate of prospective licensees abandoning the process — especially those from disparately impacted populations.

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Aquino stands with SEIU, home care workers in fight for living wage

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State Senator Omar Aquino, standing alongside Service Employees International Union members, pushed for a wage increase for home care workers in Illinois at a rally Wednesday.

“When I worked for the Community Care Program, I witnessed firsthand the impact of home care workers on seniors’ ability to live an independent and dignified life,” expressed Aquino to advocates gathered in the Capitol rotunda. “You all provide dignified work—you should earn a dignified pay.”

Aquino joined hundreds of home care workers rallying together to speak on the need to increase wages for home care workers who provide essential personal assistance and health care support to thousands of seniors and people with disabilities across the state.

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Aquino celebrates Puerto Rico Town being named cultural district

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State Senator Omar Aquino joined Governor JB Pritzker at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture to announce the creation of Puerto Rico Town as an official State-Designated Cultural District.

“In Illinois, diversity is our strength, and the State-Designated Cultural Districts Program is shining a much-deserved light on some of our state’s most culturally and historically rich communities, including Puerto Rico Town,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “These designations will help Illinoisans celebrate our lineage and traditions of our communities.”

Launched in 2023, the State-Designated Cultural Districts program aims to uplift the unique contributions of historic cultural districts with the overarching goal of increasing economic development opportunities. The purpose of the program is to support the preservation and development of history and culturally significant structures, traditions and languages, foster local cultural development and education, provide a focal point for celebrating communities’ unique cultural identities, and promote equitable growth and opportunity without generating displacement.

The new district in Humboldt Park — also known as Puerto Rico Town — will be led by efforts from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Cultural Districts are eligible to apply for $3 million in funding that will be tailored to fit the needs of the individual district and support the goals of the program to foster economic development and help preserve their unique cultural identities.

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Aquino champions Illinois Child Tax Credit

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Under a proposal announced Wednesday by State Senator Omar Aquino and State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr., working parents in Illinois earning the median income or less could soon have the option to claim a state-level child tax credit on their state income taxes.

“The Child Tax Credit I am proposing this year would put money back in working-class parents’ pockets,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “That little bit of extra change helps families stay afloat, provide a good education for their children, and re-invest that money right back into our local economy. It’s why studies show that just this investment in our families would pay dividends, by creating a $1 billion surplus in our economy.”

Senate Bill 3329 would create a state-level child tax credit for eligible low- and middle-income families. Families would receive a $300 tax credit for each child under the age of 17. The proposal would benefit joint filers earning less than $75,000 and single filers earning less than $50,000. If passed, Illinois would become the 15^th state to enact a state-level child tax credit.

Read more: Aquino champions Illinois Child Tax Credit