Corte y audiencias

Beginning July 1, 2025, an amended Illinois law will require state agencies to provide free interpreters to people who do not speak English well. The law changes how state agencies handle hearings with individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). If you are an LEP individual who is in a state administrative hearing, Similar to trial but less formal. It's held in front of a judge who works for a government agency. this law requires that you have access to an interpreter at no cost to you.

This law is part of changes made to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act sets the rules for how state agencies handle certain types of hearings. The goal of this law change is to make sure everyone can understand and take part in hearings that affect their rights.

What does this law do?

If you are part of a hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer with a state agency and have limited English skills, the agency:

• Must give you a free interpreter, and
• May provide translated documents, if needed, to help you understand your case.

The interpreters provided by the agency must:

• Be certified, if possible, or
• If a certified interpreter is not available, the interpreter must be qualified based on the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) review.

What hearings are covered?

This law applies to state administrative hearings, which are less formal than court cases, but still important.

There are two main types of administrative hearings:

• Substantive hearings, and
• Non-substantive hearings.

Substantive hearings involve big decisions about your rights. If you ask for an interpreter, or the ALJ thinks you need one, you must be given a certified interpreter at no cost to you. These hearings often involve:

• Appeals for public benefits: For example, if your food benefits (SNAP) are denied and you appeal the decision, or you are appealing a Medicaid decision, or
• Unemployment benefits: If your unemployment benefits are denied and you want to challenge that decision.

Non-substantive hearings are about procedures, like setting hearing dates or checking deadlines. You can still get an interpreter, but the interpreter does not have to be certified. These hearings often involve:

• Setting the schedule for your case,
• Checking if both sides turned in documents, or
• Asking questions about how to present your case.

What hearings are not covered by this law change?

This law does not apply to:

• Federal hearings, like Social Security or immigration cases,
• Court cases, like criminal or civil trials, and
• Most city or town hearings, like parking tickets, unless those hearings follow state rules.

Even though these types of hearings are not covered by this law, you may still be able to get an interpreter. For example, Illinois courts are required to provide interpreters in many cases. If you have a hearing and have difficulty understanding English, ask if an interpreter is available.

How do I request an interpreter?

To request an interpreter for your hearing:

• Check your hearing notice for instructions,
• Contact the state agency involved before your hearing, or
• Ask the judge for an interpreter at your hearing.

Because this law change is new, the steps for requesting an interpreter may be different for each agency. It is important to carefully read your hearing notice for instructions and direct any questions to the contact information listed on your notice.

What if there is no available interpreter at my hearing?

If the agency cannot find an interpreter for your hearing, the ALJ may reschedule the hearing for a later date where a qualified interpreter can be present in-person, online, or by phone.