By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Military families in Illinois will soon get help navigating the occupational licensing process in a move to reduce unemployment.
Due to travel requirements and other factors, the unemployment rate among military spouses is 33 percent, according to a 2016 study. That’s significantly higher than the statewide unemployment rate, which was 3.8 percent in November.
To help combat this, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation hired its first military liaison. The liaison will work with spouses stationed in Illinois to obtain the licensing necessary to work in the nearly one out of every three professions in the state that require government permission to work in.
“We want to ensure that military members and their families are provided with licensure resources they need to begin working in their chosen profession or occupation in Illinois,” IDFPR Secretary Deborah Hagan said.
The department also announced that it has set a 60-day time limit for members of the Armed Forces and their spouses to be approved for occupational licensing necessary to work in the state.
A 2017 study by the Institute for Justice found that Illinois’ licensing costs about $244 in fees, averages 249 days lost to education and experience and requires about one exam.
Some branches of the Armed Forces will reimburse military spouses for some of the cost of obtaining certification after they relocate.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
