IL SB2079

Amends the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act to establish a formal denial and appeals process for U-visa and T-visa certification requests

Requires certifying officials who deny a certification request to provide written notice explaining why evidence does not support finding the requester is a victim of qualifying criminal activity

Mandates that denial notices include contact information for appeals and requires certifying agencies to respond to appeals within 30 business days

Removes previous language that allowed officials to simply decline certification without formal explanation when they could not determine victim status

Permits requesters to file mandamus actions or seek equitable relief in circuit court without first exhausting administrative appeals with the certifying agency