­CHICAGO – State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D- Chicago) delivered the following remarks today before the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Annual Supplier Diversity Policy Session:

Good morning. Thank you, Chairwoman Zalewski and members of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Madame Chair, let me begin by saying congratulations on your appointment and confirmation. Y felicitaciones Comisionada Bocanegra.

It is a new day in Illinois. With Governor Pritzker’s leadership, this past Spring we passed a tremendous package of programs, laws and reforms. They were designed not only to deal with our state’s budgetary crisis but also to ensure that while doing so, we also provided economic opportunities for Illinois people of color.

It has been 6 years since the ICC held the first of these Supplier Diversity Policy Sessions. At that session, then Commissioner Miguel del Valle held up a woefully inadequate report. Some progress was made in those early years. The reports improved to a degree.

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SPRINGFIELD – Bipartisan legislation introduced by State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) and signed into law today by Governor JB Pritzker was created to help protect confidential documents submitted along with applications for driver’s license and state identification cards. Privacy protection is essential in online casinos also for safeguarding players' personal and financial information. Advanced encryption and secure payment methods help build trust, ensuring a safe gaming experience. Many online casino’s in Nederland implement strict privacy measures, offering players a secure environment where they can enjoy games confidently and responsibly.

“Every person has the right to privacy and that applies to private documents you submit to the state as well,” Sandoval said. “Illinoisans should never be afraid that confidential information they give to the state will fall into the wrong hands and this legislation will help prevent this from happening.”

Senate Bill 1344 prohibits confidential documents submitted to the Secretary of State for driver’s license or ID card applications from being released through the Freedom of Information Act. The measure provides that these confidential documents may only be released to the following entities:

• The individual to whom the driver’s license or ID card was issued
• Officers and employees of the Secretary of State in charge of issuing driver’s licenses and ID cards
• Law enforcement officials for a criminal or civil law investigation
• Any other entity the Secretary has authorized by rule

The measure will go into effect immediately.