PROTECT AND DEFEND LICENSURE
The practice of landscape architecture should keep the public safe from hazards, protect and maximize the use of natural systems and resources, and prevent damage to public or private property from changes in the built environment. The education, experience, and examination required to earn a license ensures that licensed landscape architects can effectively protect the public and our communities from harm.
A landscape architect’s qualifications are based on education, experience, and examination in the field of landscape architecture. The law defines landscape architectural practice as the offering or furnishing of professional services in connection with a landscape architecture project that does not require the seal of an architect, land surveyor, professional engineer, or structural engineer.
For 30 years, Illinois has worked under a Title Act. The Title Act does not prevent any person from being engaged in the practice of landscape architecture so long as he or she does not represent himself or herself as, or use the titles of, landscape architect or registered landscape architect. A practice act is important to Illinois landscape architects because of the real danger to clients and the users of these public and private spaces: physical injury; property damage; and financial ruin.
The Illinois Chapter has hired lobbyist Molly Rockford to assist in advocacy issues. Her company will provide monthly reports to chapter leadership regarding matters that may have relevance to our profession. They will also work with leadership to craft language for submission to reinstate the Title Act and, eventually, elevate the act to Practice Act. Membership will be apprised of key issues.
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
The following have generously donated to our Advocacy Efforts as of February 19, 2020. Thank you all.
$5,000 – $10,000
Anova Furnishings
site|site design group ltd.
Participants in 2019 Celebration+
$2,500 – $4,999
Participants in the Summer Block Party Fundraiser, 2018
Midwest Groundcovers
Jack Pizzo, ASLA
Upland Design Ltd.
$1,000 – $2,400
CYLA Design Associates, Inc.
Keven Graham, FASLA, Terra Engineering
Terry Guen, FASLA
Jacobs/Ryan Associates
Landscape Forms
MassieMassie + Associates
Bradley McCauley, ASLA
Rain Bird
Philip Rosborough, ASLA
Pamela Self, ASLA
$500 – $999
Sharon Dickson, ASLA
Christopher Gent, ASLA
Nancy Lyons Hannick, ASLA
Ron Henderson, ASLA
Participants in Holiday Spritzer Raffle, 2018
Susan Ragaishis, Affiliate ASLA
Alan Watkins, ASLA
$100 – $499
Eric Braun, ASLA
Michael Boucher, FASLA (Freeport, ME)
Jason Cooper, ASLA
Joseph Davito, ASLA
James C. Differding, ASLA
Carol Emmerling-Dinovo, ASLA
Sarah Dreier, ASLA
Jeffrey Fahs, ASLA
Charles Fischer, ASLA
Mark A. Heinicke, PLA, ASLA (Miami, FL)
Michelle Inouye, ASLA
Gary Kesler, FASLA
José L. Magán, ASLA
Randall W. Mardis, ASLA (St. Charles, MO)
Robert O’Neill, ASLA
Tom Nelson
Stephen D. Prassas, ASLA
Rob Reuland, ASLA
D. Fairchild Ruggles, ASLA
George Stanziale, Jr., FASLA (Raleigh, NC) (Stewart)
Ann Lindsey Viger, ASLA
James Urban, FASLA (Annapolis, MD)
Victor Stanley
Megan Wade, ASLA
Unrestricted Income Fund
$5,000 – $10,000
site|site design group ltd.
In-Kind Donations of Space for Fundraising Events
Lake Street Supply
Millennium Park Foundation
Stay on Top of Current STATE Issues
Illinois Title Act / Landscape Architect Act of 1989
The IDFPR has posted on their website the following message:
“As of January 1, 2020, the Landscape Architect Act of 1989 has been repealed. No further action is required for those Landscape Architects that currently possess a Landscape Architect registration and these registrations can no longer be renewed.
The use of the title of “registered landscape architect” and other iterations will no longer require a registration issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.”
The sunset of the Illinois Title Act is a result of numerous issues, all of which can be found in the Letters to Members below. The ILASLA Board, along with our contracted Lobbyist, and the IDFPR are working to reinstate the act as soon as possible. Ideally, before May 2020. In the interim, the Association recommends the following steps be taken to protect your business:
Insurance
Your E&O Insurance may or may not be tied holding a state license. We recommend checking with both your agent and your carrier, in writing, to make sure you are covered during the time that the state is not regulating the profession.
Contracts
Contracts may or may not be tied to holding a state license. We recommend reviewing contracts closely and, if necessary, discussing contracts with a lawyer during the time that the state is not regulating the profession.
Reciprocity and CLARB Membership
Some contract holders are working around the issue by, at the very least, requiring CLARB membership as proof of licensure. For details on joining or reviewing your CLARB record, please see “Letter to Members 12.30.19.”
If you have questions regarding the issue, please contact any one of the Board members mentioned in the letters below. We, in turn, will do our best to keep members informed on the reinstatement details and timeline.
- Letter to Members: Title Act Update 5.22.2020
- Letter to Members: COVID-19 and Advocacy Update 3.17.2020
- Letter to Members: Title Act Update 2.11.2020
- Letter to Members: Title Act Extension Update: CLARB and Other 12.30.19
- Letter to Members: Title Act Extension Update 12.19.19
- Letter to Members: Title Act Extension Update 11.26.19
- Letter to Members: Title Act Extension Update 10.28.19
- Letter to Members: Title Act Extension Update 10.23.19
- Letter to Members 5.31.19
- Letter to Members: File a Witness Slip 3.18.19
- Letter to Members 3.8.19
- Letter to Members 2.7.19
- Letter to Members 12.11.18
- ASLA Goes to the Hill_Stream 5.3.18
QUESTIONS?
Bradley McCauley, ASLA
ILASLA Trustee
trustee@il-asla.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LICENSURE EFFORTS
Advocacy Committee
advocacy@il-asla.org
FIND MY ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR