SPRINGFIELD – To support the educational aspirations of refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan, State Senator Mike Porfirio has steered legislation through the Senate that would waive transcript evaluation fees for these individuals. 

“Denying refugees equal access to education reinforces marginalization,” said Porfirio. “By waiving transcript evaluation fees, we are not only promoting access to education, but also recognizing the valuable contributions that refugees bring to our colleges.”

Currently, transcript evaluations assess foreign transcripts as part of an admission process for higher education institutions. These evaluations are used to establish a U.S.-equivalent GPA, verify the accreditation of the foreign schools, and benchmark completed coursework to determine if the applicant has met the prerequisite requirements for their intended program.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect our nation’s veterans from predatory business practices, State Senator Mike Porfirio championed legislation through the Senate aimed at combating companies who target veterans by offering veteran and military benefit services in exchange for financial compensation.

“Our veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country, and they deserve to be protected from exploitative, predatory practices,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This bill sends a clear message that we will not tolerate those who seek to take advantage of our veterans and their benefits.”

Some of these predatory practices include guaranteeing an increased disability rating or percentage increase, advertising expedited VA claims decisions, requesting login credentials to access a veteran’s personal information through secure VA websites and more. Senate Bill 3479 aims to combat companies who target veterans in their deceptive business practices by ensuring transparency regarding these businesses’ lack of VA accreditation. To offer better consumer transparency, Porfirio’s legislation would require these entities to disclose that their businesses are neither endorsed by nor affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

SPRINGFIELD – Last summer, significant flooding hit Cook County in the wake of historic storms, leaving numerous properties with immense damage and leading President Joe Biden to approve a federal disaster declaration for the area. In response, State Senator Mike Porfirio is leading legislation to address future flooding concerns by giving renters the right to receive critical information about a property’s flooding history before they sign their lease.

“This bill is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tenants across the state,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “By requiring landlords to disclose flood hazards, we are arming renters with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their families from potential harm.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio advanced legislation aimed at addressing flood-related concerns for tenants by adding disclosure requirements when a property is located in a flood hazard area or a lower-level unit has experienced flooding.

“It is our responsibility to advocate for secure housing environments for our residents,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “By championing policies that prioritize awareness, we can protect renters while strengthening our communities against the challenges of flooding.”

Currently, only seven states require some disclosure of flood risk to renters. Porfirio’s measure would equip potential tenants with essential information about flood risks before renting the property, fostering a fair and informed rental market.