SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio championed a new law requiring public colleges and universities to waive transcript evaluation fees for refugees of Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This is a small but significant way to honor the sacrifices made by our Iraqi and Afghan allies,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), who served alongside Iraqi and Afghan translators during Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a police advisor during the war in Afghanistan. “We have a moral obligation to support those who have served shoulder to shoulder with us, and by waiving foreign transcript evaluation fees, we are removing barriers to their education and professional opportunities, helping them rebuild their lives and continue contributing to our communities.” 

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

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and service members across the state will soon have enhanced benefits knowledge, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio.

“This law ensures our veterans have easy access to critical information, helping them fully utilize the support they’ve earned through their service,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “In making this information more accessible, we are empowering veterans to take full advantage of the resources they deserve while reflecting our deep gratitude to those who have served our nation.”

Porfirio’s law requires the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to produce and distribute a comprehensive benefits, services and protections poster. Through the new law, veterans and service members will have streamlined access to information about critical resources — such as tax benefits and the Illinois veteran driver’s license — that will empower them to navigate the complexities of their available support systems effectively. The law centralizes essential information in one accessible format, helping to facilitate informed decision-making.

House Bill 4757 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect on Jan. 1.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect our nation’s veterans from predatory business practices, State Senator Mike Porfirio and State Representative Stephanie Kifowit championed a new law combating businesses using deceptive practices to target veterans and their benefits.

“Our veterans are true American heroes and they deserve to have protections in all facets of their lives, especially when it comes to their hard-earned benefits,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a U.S. Navy veteran. “By protecting our veterans from exploitation, we’re making certain they have the support and respect they deserve and taking a crucial step forward in honoring their dedicated service.”

Often-unaccredited businesses offer misleading advice, including guaranteeing an increased disability rating or percentage increase, advertising expedited VA’s claim decisions and more. Additionally, the companies will attempt to take advantage of individuals by requesting login credentials to access a veteran’s personal information through secure VA websites.

SPRINGFIELD – Significant flooding hit Cook County in the wake of historic storms last summer, 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 championed a new law 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.

“Protecting our residents from the dangers of flooding starts with providing them with essential information,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This law safeguards our communities by requiring property owners to disclose flood risks, which will help tenants avoid hazardous living conditions and protect their wellbeing.”

Berwyn and Cicero received nearly nine inches of rain in a matter of hours from a storm on July 2 last summer, causing extensive damage to residential and commercial properties and requiring costly repairs. Illinois becomes the eighth state to require disclosure of flood risk to renters. Through the new law, potential tenants will be equipped with essential information about flood risks before renting property, fostering a fair and informed rental market.