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Urge Governor Rauner to Sign SB 2743

Last Updated: December 9, 2016


A few days ago, we shared the exciting news that Senate Bill 2743 is on its way to Governor Rauner for his signature. We will be sending him a letter to explain why this bill means so much to the yoga community and to urge him to sign this bill into law. 

In the letter, we explain why YTTs should not be regulated as vocational schools. It emphasizes that we share Governor Rauner’s interest in promoting an economic climate in Illinois that allows small businesses to grow and thrive.

Read the full letter below and add your signature. 

If you’d like to add your signature, please email your name and mailing address to us at yaadvocacy@yogaalliance.org.

Thank you for your support and consideration to join this advocacy effort.

The Honorable Bruce Rauner
Governor
State of Illinois
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706


Dear Governor Rauner:

We write to you today to ask you to sign Senate Bill 2743 into law. This important legislation, which the Illinois House and Senate passed with unanimous support, will liberate Illinois’s yoga community from burdensome and unnecessary regulations that have been adversely impacting our businesses.

As you know, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has sought to regulate yoga teacher training programs (YTTs) under a statutory regime intended to apply to occupational or vocational schools. As yoga practitioners and yoga studio owners in the State of Illinois, we believe that the IBHE’s regulations are not only inapplicable to yoga programs, but are onerous and harm small businesses throughout the state. Indeed, there are many reasons why YTTs should not be regulated in this manner:

  • YTT programs are not designed to lead to full-time employment. The majority of participants attend YTT programs for personal development and to advance their practice of yoga.
  • Participants are already protected. Yoga businesses are already required to comply with existing consumer protection laws and business regulations. Additional regulation by IBHE is therefore unnecessary. Moreover, the IBHE did not identify any consumer complaints against YTTs during the legislative debate over SB 2743.
  • Regulations stifle innovation and growth. YTT programs tend to be operated by small businesses. Onerous requirements and expensive fees discourage yoga studios from operating these programs or expanding.

We share your interest in promoting an environment in Illinois that allows small businesses to grow and thrive. For the reasons set forth above, we respectfully request that you join with the entirety of the Illinois General Assembly in supporting yoga businesses in our state by signing SB 2743 into law. Thank you in advance for your consideration and for your support of the Illinois yoga community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

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