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Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Committee

This committee works with members of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions in Illinois to advocate on behalf of the clients in need of services. Included in these efforts are working with legislators and lobbyists to establish and uphold the licensure act, monitor impending legislation that impacts the professions and clients, and communicate potential and actual changes to regulations that will impact the areas of speech-language pathology and audiology. 

2024-2025 Roster

  • Janet Olson, Chair
  • Heather J. Driscoll
  • Corinne M. Stewart
  • Karen Cannon-Janettas
  • Laura A. Wilber
  • Carrie Kerr
  • Paula Hamilton
  • Kim Pritikin
  • Roger Reeter
  • Kate Koval
  • Erik Johnson
  • Carol Szymanski

2024-2025 Committee Goals

GOALS:

  • Focus Area: Advocacy: Engage in legislative advocacy efforts to support professionals and consumers. 
  • Focus Area – Legislation and Regulation: Advance, monitor, and shape legislation and regulations that impact our profession and constituencies.
  • Focus Area- Membership: Grow member’s awareness of and active participation in ISHA’s legislative and regulatory affairs efforts.
  • Focus Area- Finance: Secure external funding for advocacy efforts.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:

  • Coordinate with the Student Involvement committee on 2024 student advocacy event.
  • Submit an ASHA advocacy grant for 2025
  • Explore resubmitting Interstate Compact legislation for 2025 legislative session.
  • Partner with the Billing and Reimbursement Committee and the SLP, PT, and OT Medicaid Coalition to advocate for increased reimbursement rates.
  • Partner with the Billing and Reimbursement Committee and the Change and Impact national advocacy group to promote increased reimbursement rates in Illinois.
  • Attending IDFPR Board meetings discussing changes to SLPA license rule writing.
  • Attend meetings with ISBE to discuss ways to remove barriers to a SLP professional educator license for new graduates.
  • Review proposed legislation at the February Executive Board Meeting with ISHA Lobbyist
  • Solicit feedback on proposed 2025 legislation from ISHA membership via a legislative survey in February of 2025.
  • Create an ISHA Voice item annually.
  • The legislative pairing project members will contact their legislators once a year.
  • Create an information outline for how to obtain a speech-language pathology assistant license for the ISHA website.
  • Identify a committee member responsible for social media.