August 25, 2017

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois House of Representatives,

100th General Assembly:

Today, I veto House Bill 732, which would limit the existing right of business owners to do roofing work on their own property.

No Illinois border state licenses commercial roofing contractors at the state level. This bill would add an unnecessary layer to the existing state regulatory framework.

Professional licenses are sometimes needed to protect public safety, but Illinois’ licensing scheme is outdated, often nonsensical, and out of step with practices in other states. We must broadly examine the circumstances in which a license should be required and the costs and requirements for obtaining a license in order to promote economic growth and reduce professional barriers.

I vetoed similar legislation in the 99^th General Assembly, and the reasoning for that action remains as true today as it was then. The General Assembly should work with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on comprehensive licensing reform. Until then, changing the scope of work for which a license is needed in a piecemeal fashion – as this bill does – is premature.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 732, entitled “AN ACT concerning regulation,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR