IL HB5172

Adds language access services requirements to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, requiring agencies to provide interpretive assistance at no cost to self-represented litigants, witnesses, and indigent persons in substantive hearings.

Requires hearing notices to include a multilingual enclosure (minimum 11 languages: English, Arabic, Cantonese, Gujarati, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese) informing recipients of their right to request interpretive assistance and written translations, with requests due within 7 days of service.

Defines "foreign language interpreter" as someone certified under the Personnel Code or contracted by the State/agency to provide interpretation, and permits remote (telephonic or video) interpretation services.

Requires administrative law judges to inquire whether self-represented litigants or witnesses appear to need interpretive assistance and must continue or postpone hearings if a qualified interpreter is unavailable for substantive proceedings.

Allows waiver of language access service provisions only through signed written stipulations provided in both English and the limited English proficient person's preferred language, and permits withdrawal of such waivers at any time during proceedings.