CHICAGO— Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a new law to regulate language requirements at government agencies statewide, with nearly 24% of Illinois residents speaking a language other than English, with Spanish being the most prevalent.
The grocery tax in Illinois will be abolished in 2026.
“Illinois is a state that is culturally and linguistically diverse, with hundreds of unique languages spoken in households throughout the state. These individuals are equally entitled to access public services as their English-speaking counterparts,” stated Pritzker.
The Language Equity and Access Act requires the Governor’s Office of New Americans to work with the Illinois Department of Human Services on the creation, execution, and oversight of statewide language access plans for state agencies.
The act requires submission of an annual compliance report to the Governor’s Office and the Illinois General Assembly.
The new Illinois law permits the statewide suspension of EMS personnel in the event of a criminal charge.
According to the state, other than Spanish, the most frequently spoken languages in the state are Polish, Chinese, and Tagalog.
“Opening new avenues of equitable opportunities for countless Illinoisans of varying backgrounds will result from prioritizing accessibility for individuals who do not speak English as a first language,” stated state Representative Theresa Mah (D-Chicago).
