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.

State Senator Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, and State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville are partnering with the Secretary of State’s Office to host a Mobile DMV event on Friday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their constituent services office, located at 475 River Bend Rd, Suite 500, in Naperville.

“This past year, many individuals have not been able to utilize DMV services due to the pandemic and may be in need of renewing IDs or plate stickers,” said Ellman. “We’re working to make sure seniors and families in our community have access to crucial services in an easy and efficient way, and we look forward to meeting community members at this event,” said Yang Rohr.

Ellman and Yang Rohr’s event will offer many of the services offered at a regular DMV office, including renewal or correction of a driver’s license, state ID cards, license plate stickers, voter registration and organ donor registration. Real ID compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards must be processed at a driver service facility, and individuals will not be able to process Real ID’s at this event. Seniors age 75 and up need to visit the DMV to renew a driver’s license, and proper identification will be needed for the above services.

‘Mobile Driver Services Event’
Friday, June 25
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
475 River Bend Rd, Suite 500
Naperville

Ellman and Yang Rohr’s event is free and open to the public. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Yang Rohr’s full time constituent service office by calling 630-296-4157 or visiting www.repyangrohr.com.

SPRINGFIELD – To encourage young people to continue learning during the summer, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is launching a Summer Reading Club for young people in the Naperville area.

“Children who read are more likely to become lifelong learners and do well in school,” Ellman said. “Summer reading programs keep students engaged and prevent learning loss over breaks from school.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Ellman’s office by Aug. 11. Everyone who completes the summer reading club will receive a gift card and certificate from Senator Ellman.

“Reading during the summer break helps develop healthy minds,” Ellman said. “This program will help students make a habit of reading and keep them prepared for the upcoming school year.”

Parents can visit senatorlauraellman.com to download and print the book club form. They can also call Ellman’s office at (630) 601-9961 to request a copy by mail. Completed forms can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Ellman urges interested residents to call her office with any additional questions. Book_Club_Ellman.pdf

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would allow students to use 529 college savings accounts for other education-related purposes without additional taxation passed the General Assembly on Thursday, May 27.

“This legislation would allow college savings plans to be used in more ways to reflect the realities of modern-day higher education,” Ellman said. “Students need and should be able to use their savings plans to pay for loans or job-training programs.”

The legislation would allow up to $10,000 to be used for additional education-related purposes without being taxed, making Illinois law consistent with federal law.

The additional education-related purposes are:

1. To cover interest payments on the student’s qualified education loan, and
2. To cover expenses for fees, text books, supplies and other materials needed to participate in certain vocational apprenticeship programs registered and certified with the secretary of labor.

“Every student in Illinois, regardless of background, deserves a chance to succeed and decide their future,” Ellman said. “Expanding how students can use this savings program provides them with more options for the future.”

House Bill 741 passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday, May 27.