VOICES-DENIALS-VICTIMS Senate SponsorsSen. Cristina Castro House Sponsors(Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz-Mark L. Walker-Kelly M. Cassidy and Elizabeth Hernandez) 8/16/2021SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0401 5 ILCS 825/20 newAmends the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Provides that if the Designated Certifying Official cannot determine that the requester is a victim of a qualifying criminal activity, the Designated Certifying Official shall provide written notice to the person or the person's representative explaining why the available evidence does not support a finding that the person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity. Provides that the Designated Certifying Official shall submit the notice to the address provided in the request and shall provide contact information should the requester desire to appeal the decision. Provides that the Designated Certifying Official shall accept all appeals and must respond to the appeals within 60 business days.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to:5 ILCS 825/20 newAdds reference to:5 ILCS 825/105 ILCS 825/11 newReplaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Provides that the certifying official shall submit the notice explaining why the available evidence does not support a finding that the person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity to the address provided in the request and shall provide contact information should the requester desire to appeal the decision. Provides that the certifying agency or certifying official shall accept all appeals and must respond to the appeals within 30 business days. Provides that notwithstanding this provision no requester is required to file an administrative appeal or otherwise exhaust administrative remedies before filing a mandamus action or seeking other equitable relief in circuit court for a completed certification form. 2/26/2021SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro 2/26/2021SenateFirst Reading 2/26/2021SenateReferred to Assignments 4/7/2021SenateAssigned to Executive 4/9/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro 4/9/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 4/13/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive 4/14/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted 4/15/2021SenateDo Pass as Amended Executive; 011-003-000 4/15/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 20, 2021 4/20/2021SenateSecond Reading 4/20/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 21, 2021 4/21/2021SenateThird Reading - Passed; 035-016-000 4/22/2021HouseArrived in House 4/22/2021HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 4/23/2021HouseFirst Reading 4/23/2021HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/26/2021HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mark L. Walker 4/28/2021HouseAssigned to Immigration & Human Rights Committee 5/5/2021HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Immigration & Human Rights Committee; 005-003-000 5/6/2021HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 5/12/2021HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez 5/13/2021HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/13/2021HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 5/19/2021HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy 5/19/2021HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 065-046-000 5/19/2021SenatePassed Both Houses 6/17/2021SenateSent to the Governor 8/16/2021SenateGovernor Approved 8/16/2021SenateEffective Date January 1, 2022 8/16/2021SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0401