Illinois Becomes Third State in the Nation to Define ESEs into Law

Employment social enterprises are now officially a part of Illinois state law! What state will be next?

Gov. Partnerships & Policy, Illinois, News, Policy

8.10.26

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IN THIS POST

Some grand news this month: employment social enterprises (ESEs) are now officially a part of Illinois state law!

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker just signed House Bill 3751 into law. This formally recognizes ESEs in state statute, meaning ESEs can access supportive programming, technical support, grants, loans, and procurement opportunities — all with the goal of helping more Illinoisans to gain quality employment.

We are so grateful to Governor Pritzker for his support of inclusive employment across Illinois. And a huge thank you to Rep. Jawaharial Omarr Williams, Rep. Kam Buckner, and Sen. Celina Villanueva, the lead bill sponsors, for all their work to build a more inclusive economy in Illinois. This bill has also been a major project for our IL RESET coalition, comprised of 33+ ESEs across the state of Illinois.

Illinois is only the third state in the country to define ESEs in state law. Who’s next?

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