101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB5828

 

Introduced 11/10/2020, by Rep. Mary E. Flowers and Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new

    Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Low Income Debt Reduction Office within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that the Office shall, without charge, assist low income persons and households in the abatement of debt by providing services, information, and resources by which such persons may resolve their debts or debt-related issues. Provides that the services, information, and resources provided by the Office shall be made available to the public on the Department's Internet website. Specifies the services, information, and resources provided by the Office. Provides that the Department shall provide staff, administrative support, and related support to the Office as required to administer the Office, and may adopt rules. Defines "low income persons and households".


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5828LRB101 21945 RJF 72954 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
5Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
6amended by adding Section 605-1055 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new)
8    Sec. 605-1055. Low Income Debt Reduction Office.
9    (a) The Low Income Debt Reduction Office is created within
10the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Office
11shall, without charge, assist low income persons and households
12in the abatement of debt by providing services, information,
13and resources by which such persons may resolve their debts or
14debt-related issues.
15    (b) The services, information, and resources provided by
16the Office shall be made available to the public on the
17Department's Internet website, and shall include, but not be
18limited to, the following:
19        (1) information concerning bankruptcy, including an
20    explanation of the types of bankruptcy and if and when
21    bankruptcy should be used as an option, a detailed
22    explanation of the bankruptcy process, and the required
23    forms used in the bankruptcy process;

 

 

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1        (2) the availability of persons and attorneys
2    knowledgeable in debt relief and bankruptcy who may aid
3    patrons in their debt reduction decision-making, including
4    answering questions and helping to fill out relevant forms;
5        (3) promoting and conducting outreach efforts with
6    respect to informing the public of the services provided by
7    the Office;
8        (4) providing and hosting informational workshops and
9    public forums concerning debt reduction, debt relief
10    options, and the services provided by the Office, including
11    efforts that assist and educate low-income persons and
12    households on bankruptcy and other debt reduction
13    opportunities; and
14        (5) any other service, information, or resource that
15    the Office deems necessary and proper to its purpose under
16    this Section.
17    (c) The Department shall provide staff, administrative
18support, and related support to the Office as required to
19administer this Section, and may adopt rules to administer this
20Section.
21    (d) For the purposes of this Section, "low income persons
22and households" means persons or households at or below 80% of
23the median income level for a given county as determined
24annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
25Development.