Bill Text: IL HB5828 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: 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".

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-11-10 - Referred to Rules Committee [HB5828 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HB5828-Introduced.html

---

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 HB5828 Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers 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".
LRB101 21945 RJF 72954 b
FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
HB5828 LRB101 21945 RJF 72954 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
amended by adding Section 605-1055 as follows:
(20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new)
Sec. 605-1055. Low Income Debt Reduction Office.
(a) The Low Income Debt Reduction Office is created within
the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. 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.
(b) The services, information, and resources provided by
the Office shall be made available to the public on the
Department's Internet website, and shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
(1) information concerning bankruptcy, including an
explanation of the types of bankruptcy and if and when
bankruptcy should be used as an option, a detailed
explanation of the bankruptcy process, and the required
forms used in the bankruptcy process;

HB5828 - 2 - LRB101 21945 RJF 72954 b
(2) the availability of persons and attorneys
knowledgeable in debt relief and bankruptcy who may aid
patrons in their debt reduction decision-making, including
answering questions and helping to fill out relevant forms;
(3) promoting and conducting outreach efforts with
respect to informing the public of the services provided by
the Office;
(4) providing and hosting informational workshops and
public forums concerning debt reduction, debt relief
options, and the services provided by the Office, including
efforts that assist and educate low-income persons and
households on bankruptcy and other debt reduction
opportunities; and
(5) any other service, information, or resource that
the Office deems necessary and proper to its purpose under
this Section.
(c) The Department shall provide staff, administrative
support, and related support to the Office as required to
administer this Section, and may adopt rules to administer this
Section.
(d) For the purposes of this Section, "low income persons
and households" means persons or households at or below 80% of
the median income level for a given county as determined
annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development.