The Illinois Senate has passed, with bipartisan support, HB 4758, an initiative by Access Living to prevent employers from requiring driver’s licenses on job postings when driving is not an essential function of employment.
“Barriers to employment for people with disabilities do not just exist in the workplace, but also in job applications, especially if the job posting includes requirements that do not relate to the actual practice of the job”, says Nicholas Boyle, Economic Justice Policy Analyst at Access Living. “HB 4758 is a great step forward for Illinois by preventing the requirement of driver’s license on job postings when the position does not actually require the applicant to drive.”
Driver’s license requirements when a position does not require driving exist for a multitude of reasons, including determining whether a job applicant has reliable transportation, or simply these requirements have been carried over from previous job postings. While the vast majority of Illinoisans drive, the nearly 2 million who do not, of whom many identify as having a disability, become disenfranchised and do not apply for jobs they may otherwise be qualified for.
“Many people with disabilities cannot drive, with our community relying on a multitude of transportation options to help us get from point A to point B, including paratransit, carpool, fixed route, bikes,” says Laura Saltzman, Senior Transportation Policy Analyst at Access Living. “HB 4758 ensures that job applicants who cannot drive are not barred from employment where driving is not essential.”
The legislation passed with bipartisan support in both the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate. It was led in the Illinois House by State Rep. Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline) and in the Illinois Senate by State Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).
“It is on Illinois and the General Assembly to ensure that people with disabilities looking to enter the workforce are not barred because of unnecessary rules,” said State Rep. Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline). “HB 4758 is an important step for our state by ensuring, when employers are looking to hire, they do so based on ones qualifications and abilities as it relates to the job at hand.”
“People with disabilities deserve the same opportunity to work, build a career and live with dignity as anyone else,” said State Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “They should not be denied opportunities because of outdated hiring practices that fail to account for how people actually travel in their communities.”
Business leaders throughout Illinois welcome the passage of HB 4758 as an opportunity to continue hiring people with disabilities and ensuring Illinois has a fully accessible workforce. “HB4758 is an important step forward in expanding access to employment opportunities and strengthening Illinois’ workforce”, said Jack Lavin, President and CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “At a time when employers across industries continue to face workforce shortages, we need policies that remove unnecessary barriers and connect more qualified people to meaningful work. I appreciate members of the General Assembly passing this important measure that will strengthen our workforce, support businesses, and help drive economic growth across Illinois.”
HB 4758 amends the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, more commonly known as “Ban the Box”, which prevents employers of 15 or more employees from including questions on a job application about an applicant’s involvement with the criminal legal system. HB 4758 would similarly apply only to employers of 15 or more employees.
The bill goes to Governor Pritzker’s desk where, upon his signature, Illinois would become the fourth state in the nation and first in the Midwest to adopt this policy.