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CHICAGO -- The following is a press release from Governor Pat Quinn's Office:

Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that will protect student-athletes who continue their athletic careers after high school. He also highlighted collaborative efforts with the Uniform Law Commission, a non-partisan group dedicated to ensuring state laws are consistent with those in neighboring states.

“This new law will protect young athletes as they move forward in their careers,” said Governor Quinn. “By working with the Uniform Law Commission on this legislation, we are making sure that our laws are consistent with those throughout the country.

Senate Bill 2542, sponsored by Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) and Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego), requires agents working for student-athletes to be licensed through the state. Licensing of these agents will ensure that Illinois’ families will be able to work with someone who has met strict requirements to operate in an upstanding and fair manner. The new law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony or other serious crime from acting as an agent, and it establishes penalties for agents who have engaged in unethical behavior.

The law is an initiative of the Uniform Law Commission to prevent unlicensed agents from taking advantage of student-athletes. With this law, Illinois becomes the 42nd state to enact student-athlete agent licensing requirements. The law also allows agents licensed in other states with similar laws to work with Illinois student-athletes and their families.

Governor Quinn also highlighted Senate Bill 2541, which was signed into law earlier this month and creates the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act. The law was an initiative of the Uniform Law Commission to increase the number of volunteers who can provide medical treatment during emergencies.

Under the law, health care and veterinary professionals in Illinois and from other states can register with a volunteer health practitioner registration system, which will verify that they have the proper credentials to volunteer their services during disasters in Illinois. Once accepted into the registry, they can be called on during times of statewide or local emergencies, when health care professionals are needed to care for victims of a disaster. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency will determine when registered volunteers are asked to assist and serve as the overall supervisor during the emergency.

Both laws are effective January 1, 2011.