Denial of Professional License

• The Illinois Department of Financial Regulation may not deny a request for a professional license solely on the basis of an applicant's criminal record unless he or she was convicted of a crime directly related to the occupation for which the license is sought.  It also loosens rules involving discipline for license holders who owe child support.

Bail Reform Act

A new state law, effective in June 2017, calls on judges to generally find an alternative to cash bail in cases where someone is accused in a nonviolent crime.  That could include releasing a suspect on home electronic monitoring as they await trial.  It also allows low-level offenders previously held on a cash bond to get a new hearing and any defendant held on monetary bond to get a rehearing within seven days.