“When we can find redundancies that we all agree should be eliminated, we should make it a point to do so as quickly as possible.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – A redundant food handling certificate required by the state will be no more under legislation being considered by the Illinois Senate. House Bill 3684 will eliminate the certificate, helping small business owners and workers.

Currently, the Illinois Department of Public Health requires workers to complete an approved training program and pass an exam provided by an accredited exam provider. After the person pays for and passes the exam and secures the national certificate, they are required to electronically send the national certificate to the state and pay $35 for an Illinois specific certificate.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is in favor of eliminating the $35 fee and is the legislation’s sponsor.

“Small businesses are caught in a web of local, state and federal regulations that make it difficult to manage the day-today activities of their business,” said Koehler, a former small business owner himself. “When we can find redundancies that we all agree should be eliminated, we should make it a point to do so as quickly as possible.”

The measure passed out of the Public Health Committee and now goes to the full Senate.