In a radio interview with WBEZ last week, State Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, spoke in support of a measure before the General Assembly that would allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients to become licensed pharmacists in Illinois.

“We have people that want to be productive workers in our state” Aquino said. “We should allow people who are otherwise qualified to do these jobs to get a license from the state.”

Along with hundreds of other professions from acupuncturists to morticians to veterinarians, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR) regulates pharmacists. Of all of these professions, pharmacist is the only one that requires proof of citizenship for licensure.

Under federal law, states may decide whether or not to consider citizenship when awarding professional licenses. “By and large, Illinois does the right thing by giving undocumented people with crucial skills the opportunity to work,” Aquino said. “This measure will fix a small but significant problem and put more people to work.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 308, has passed out of the Senate Licensed Activity and Pensions Committee. It will move to the full Illinois Senate for further consideration.