SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission will always include a student member under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law Friday.

“The Student Assistance Commission can’t truly perform its mission without the student perspective,” Ellman said. “This law ensures there is always student representation on the Commission.”

ISAC’s mission is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable. The new law allows the student member of the commission to retain their seat beyond the expiration of their term until a new and qualified student member is appointed.

Previously, if a vacancy occurred during the student commissioner’s two-year term, a new student appointee filling a vacancy could serve only for the remainder of that term. This had led to gaps between student commissioners, leaving the commission without a student perspective. It also contributed to delays in the commission's work when meetings have to be rescheduled due to lack of quorum.

“Important policy discussions miss out on a student perspective when ISAC doesn’t have a student commissioner,” Ellman said. “This law ensures that Illinois students will always have a voice.”

House Bill 1802 is effective immediately.