HB1017 - POWER AGENCY-AGGREGATION
Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Removes language allowing the corporate authorities, township board, or county board to operate the aggregation program as an opt-out program for residential and small commercial retail customers.
HB1024 - LOCAL CLOSED-DOOR TAX INCREASE
Creates the Prohibition of Closed-Door Tax Increases Act. Provides that a unit of local government may not increase a levied tax without authorization by referendum of the electors of the unit of local government. Provides that a referendum to increase a levied tax must include a sunset clause on which the tax increase authorized by the referendum measure shall expire. Provides that, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow to service a debt, the increase must sunset no later than the date that the debt is scheduled to be paid off, and, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow that will be spent for purposes other than debt service, the increase must sunset no later than 10 years after the date on which the tax increase begins. Provides that, to the extent the Act conflicts with any other provision of law, the Act controls. Provides that nothing in the Act infringes upon the right of a unit of local government to impose or increase nontax fines or fees. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall adopt rules to enforce the Act. Limits concurrent exercise of home rule taxing powers.
HB1052 - FOOD TRUCK FREEDOM ACT
Creates the Food Truck Freedom Act. Provides that a municipality, county, or township may create a license or permitting scheme for a food truck to operate within its jurisdiction. Provides that a food truck license or permit obtained from a municipality, county, or township in Illinois has full force and effect in all other jurisdictions in Illinois so long as that license or permit was issued after: (1) an inspection by a local health department that uses recommendations made by the Food and Drug Administration concerning food trucks and (2) an inspection by a local fire department that uses recommendations made by the National Fire Prevention Association concerning food trucks. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents a municipality, county, or township from imposing placement or zoning restrictions or fees so long as those restrictions and fees are uniformly applied to all food trucks, regardless of the food truck's license or permit jurisdiction. Defines "food truck". Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB1205 - ELECT-MUNI ELECT COMM
Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county board or board of county commissioners of a county with a population of less than 100,000 may, by ordinance or resolution, dissolve a municipal board of election commissioners within that county and transfer its functions to the county clerk.
HB1314 - COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. In provisions requiring governmental entities to adopt ordinances or resolutions regulating specified ethical concerns, provides that a governmental entity may create an ethics commission to satisfy the requirements.
HB1364 - JOLIET ARSENAL AUTHORITY
Amends the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority Act. Provides that the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority shall be abolished upon the last to occur of the following: (1) expiration of the 35-year (rather than 30-year) period that begins on the effective date of the Act; or (2) one year after all revenue bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness of the Authority have been fully paid and discharged or otherwise provided for. Provides that, upon the abolition of the Authority, all of its rights and property shall pass to and be vested in Will County (rather than the State). Provides that the Board of Directors of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority shall consist of 15 members (rather than 10 members). Provides that one member (rather than 6 members) of the Board shall be appointed by the Will County Executive. Provides that the mayors of the municipalities of Channahon, Crest Hill, Elwood, Joliet, Lockport, Manhattan, Rockdale, Romeoville, Symerton, and Wilmington shall each appoint one member of the Board of Directors. Provides for the appointment of the Board members. Provides that the Chairperson of the Board shall be appointed by the Will County Executive from among the members of the Board (rather than elected by the Board annually from among the members who are appointed by the Will County Executive). Provides that Board shall meet upon the call of its Chairperson or upon written notice of 8 members of the Board (rather than 6 members of the Board). Provides that all official acts of the Authority shall require the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the Board members at a meeting of the Board (rather than at least 6 members of the Board at a meeting of the Board) at which the members casting those affirmative votes are present.
HB1449 - COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Amends the Counties Code. Requires the county board in counties with a population of more than 100,000 to hire a county administrator. Provides that the county administrator shall advise, assist, act as agent for, and be responsible to the county board for the proper and efficient administration of the county.
HB1809 - CAP DEV BOARD-INSPECTORS
Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall establish uniform statewide minimum qualification requirements for code inspectors and shall maintain a statewide registry and certification program for qualified inspectors to demonstrate their compliance with the minimum qualification requirements. Provides that any municipal building code or county building code must ensure that all code inspectors meet at least the minimum certification requirements required by the Board for non-building code jurisdictions. Limits home rule powers. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall create a specific listing in its directory of programs for courses and programs that prepare students to become code inspectors. Provides that the State Board shall conduct a survey of all community colleges in the State to determine the current and historical enrollment in currently existing building code-related courses.
HB1831 - COUNTIES CD-NUISANCE
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each county shall have power to declare what are nuisances, including, but not limited to, sound amplification, construction noise, and noise from off-road vehicles, and to take all necessary measures to abate nuisances within the county's jurisdiction.
HB2354 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county.
HB2355 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a property, structure, or facility owned by Kane County can be used for athletic purposes in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county if the property, structure, or facility acquired by Kane County was being used for athletic purposes prior to the county acquiring the property, structure, or facility. For leases entered into under this provision after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the lease must require (i) the lessee to allow any organization that used the land at the time the lease is executed to continue to use the land for the leased purposes during the term of the lease and (ii) the lessor to continue, during the term of the lease, to employ, in the same capacity, any persons who provided services on the land at the time the lease is executed.
HB2458 - LOCAL GOVT-ADMIN ADJUDICATIONS
House Bill 2458 proposes amendments to the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. The bill aims to limit home rule powers concerning the establishment of administrative adjudication systems for ordinance or code violations by counties and municipalities. The bill is supported by the Illinois Association of Court Clerks (IACC).
The bill is supported by the Illinois Association of Court Clerks (IACC) and opposed by Cook County and a multitude of cities, villages and towns.
Impetus for the Legislation
The bill was introduced as a result of a Supreme Court decision (Cammacho v. City of Joliet - April 4, 2024) that determined home rule units of government had general authority to administratively adjudicate certain ordinance violations.
The City of Joliet implemented ordinances designating specific truck routes and restricting overweight and overlength vehicles on non-designated roads. Several commercial truck drivers, including Robert Cammacho Jr., were cited for violating these ordinances and were found liable through the city’s administrative adjudication process, resulting in fines. The drivers contested these findings, arguing that Joliet lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate such violations administratively.
The Illinois Supreme Court held that:
1. Home Rule Authority: Section 1-2.1-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code does not preempt a home rule municipality’s power to administratively adjudicate ordinance violations. This means that home rule municipalities retain the authority to handle such matters through their own administrative systems.
2. Local Ordinance Compliance: Despite upholding the city’s general authority, the court found that Joliet’s own ordinances required certain traffic offenses, specifically those that are “reportable” to the Illinois Secretary of State, to be adjudicated in the circuit court rather than through the city’s administrative process. Since the violations in question were reportable offenses, the administrative decisions were deemed improper under Joliet’s ordinances.
The court affirmed the appellate court’s reversal of the administrative decisions, not due to a lack of municipal authority, but because Joliet did not adhere to its own procedural requirements for handling specific traffic violations.
Impact of HB 2458 on Counties
• Restriction of Home Rule Powers: The bill explicitly limits the ability of home rule units—counties and municipalities with self-governing authority—to independently establish administrative adjudication systems for local ordinance or code violations. This represents a shift in authority from local governments to the state legislature, reducing local autonomy in this area. Cook County is the only home rule county in Illinois.
Amendment 1 (Adopted)
House Amendment 1 amends the introduced bill to restrict home rule counties from using administrative adjudication systems to handle certain traffic-related offenses. The bill as introduced would have applied the preemption for all administratively adjudicated ordinance violations.
The amendment proposes home rule counties (Cook), may not use administrative adjudication to process:
• Offenses under the Illinois Vehicle Code that involve the movement of vehicles (e.g., speeding, running a red light).
• Reportable offenses under Section 6-204 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, which includes violations that must be reported to the Secretary of State and often affect a driver’s record or license status.
• Similar offenses under a county ordinance that mirror these state-level violations.
Witness slips in support or opposition to House Amendment 1 are available via this link.
HB2768 - COUNTY/MUNI-NATURAL GAS
Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.
HB3531 - PAID LEAVE-LIMITATIONS
Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or a municipality shall not require a school district organized under the School Code or a park district organized under the Park District Code to provide paid leave to the employees of the school district or park district. Limits home rule powers. Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of "employee" does not include: (1) an employee engaged in the transportation of goods through this State; or (2) an employee who is free to decide what time the employee performs duties for an employer. Makes changes to provisions concerning the provision of paid leave; the responsibilities of the Department of Labor; and enforcement and penalties.
HB3695 - CTY CD-RETAIL TOBACCO STORE
Amends the Zoning Division of the Counties Code. Provides that a county may adopt an ordinance to regulate the location of retail tobacco stores in unincorporated areas near vulnerable areas, including schools, day care centers, and hospitals. Provides that a county may not adopt an ordinance that has the effect of prohibiting retail tobacco store in unincorporated areas.
HB3725 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILLING ACT
House Bill 3725 establishes the Local Government Billing Act, which introduces a standardized framework for how units of local government in Illinois can bill customers for utility services, especially in cases involving previously unbilled usage.
Key provisions of the bill include:
• Billing Time Limits: Units of local government must bill for any utility service—such as water, gas, or electricity—within 12 months for residential customers and 24 months for non-residential customers after the service is provided. This seeks to prevent unexpectedly large back-billing scenarios that can place a financial burden on customers.
• Exceptions: These time limitations do not apply if the customer prevented accurate meter readings through obstruction, fraud, tampering, or theft.
• Billing Requirements: Local governments must:
- Avoid intentionally delaying billing beyond the normal cycle.
- Clearly label charges for previously unbilled services.
- Prorate charges if rates varied over the unbilled period.
- Offer payment plan options for these previously unbilled amounts.
Transitional provisions allow for billing of unpaid service amounts that were either previously billed or communicated to customers before the law takes effect, provided the service was delivered before January 1, 2026.
Potential Ramifications for Counties
• Operational Adjustments: Counties and other local governments providing utility services will need to update billing procedures and software to comply with the time limits and labeling requirements.
• Revenue Recovery Constraints: While protecting customers, the 12- and 24-month limits may hinder a county’s ability to recover older unbilled revenues, potentially impacting budgets if billing errors were not caught promptly.
• Customer Relations: The required payment plans and transparency could improve customer satisfaction but may also increase administrative workload for staff managing billing disputes and installment arrangements.
SB0048 - FOREIGN COUNTRIES CONCERN ACT
Creates the Foreign Countries of Concern Act. Prohibits governmental entities from entering into contracts with certain prohibited entities that would give those prohibited entities access to an individual's personal identifying information. Prohibits certain entities from receiving economic incentives. Provides that certain prohibited entities may not own interests in agricultural land or land on or around military installations or critical infrastructure facilities. Prohibits the purchase or acquisition of real property by certain entities associated with the People's Republic of China. Amends the Property Owned By Noncitizens Act to make conforming changes.
SB1368 - MULTI-COUNTY VET ASSISTANCE
Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the Act to allow for the formation of multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions. Provides that veteran service organizations located in 2 or more adjacent counties having a population of 60,000 or less may enter into an agreement to come together and jointly form a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to serve the adjacent counties in accordance with the Act. Provides that a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission may also be formed under an agreement between an existing county Veterans Assistance Commission and a veteran service organization located in an adjacent county that is without a veterans assistance commission and has a population of 60,000 or less. Requires an agreement to form and maintain a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to set forth: (i) the distribution of funding with respect to each member county; (ii) the location of the Commission's office; (iii) the type of services provided; (iv) the superintendent selection or appointment process; (v) Commission rules and policies; and (vi) the composition of delegates and alternates on the Commission. Provides that multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions shall have the same powers and duties under the Act as Veterans Assistance Commissions that serve one county. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. Effective immediately.
SB1534 - COUNTY/MUNI-NATURAL GAS
Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.
SB1568 - COUNTIES CD-INDEMNIFICATION
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county that is or may be liable to indemnify a physician who has been appointed or designated by the county or the coroner's office to perform autopsies shall (rather than may) intervene in the action against the physician and shall be permitted to appear and defend.
SB1578 - VEH CD-LOCAL ORDINANCE-FINES
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a municipality, county, or township may enact an ordinance providing for administrative and civil fines to enforce violations of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer or a similar violation of a local ordinance and imposing liability on a registered owner or lessee of a vehicle used in such a violation. Provides that an administrative and civil fine enforcement may only be issued if the driver of the vehicle that was involved in the violation cannot be identified. Provides that law enforcement, a State's Attorney, or the Office of the Attorney General is not prohibited from enforcing such violations when the vehicle has been reported stolen or hijacked. Makes corresponding changes.
SB1731 - COUNTIES CODE-NOISE POLLUTION
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county board may, by ordinance, establish standards for noise pollution in the unincorporated areas of the county. Effective immediately.
SB2223 - IEMA-LOCAL BUSINESS LICENSES
Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any suspension or revocation of a business license under the Act must be approved by the majority vote of the county board of the unincorporated area or the municipal board of the incorporated area in which the business is located.
SB2227 - UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME BAN
Creates the Universal Basic Income Prohibition Act. Defines "universal basic income" as a government program that provides a base income to persons residing in Illinois by disbursing direct, recurring cash payments to persons to be used for any purpose without qualification or restriction. Provides that the General Assembly, a state agency, or a unit of local government may not pass a law, rule, resolution, or ordinance establishing a universal basic income program or any similar program. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to (i) diminish, negate, or interfere with a State public aid or social welfare program established by law, rule, resolution, or ordinance before the effective date of the Act that does not meet the criteria of a universal basic income program, including, but not limited to, township general assistance programs, or (ii) prohibit the passage of a law, rule, resolution, or ordinance that establishes or implements a public aid or social welfare program that does not meet the criteria of a universal basic income program or any similar guaranteed income program. Limits home rule powers by providing that regulation of universal basic income is an exclusive power and function of the State. Effective immediately.
SB2504 - TWP CD-CONSOLIDATION & MERGER
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with a population of less than 50,000, the offices of township assessor and multi-township assessor are abolished upon the expiration of the term of a township assessor or multi-township assessor. Provides that the county assessor in a county with a population of less than 50,000 shall assume all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities of township assessors or multi-township assessors within the county. Amends the Dissolution of Townships in McHenry County Article of the Township Code. Renames the Article and makes it applicable to all counties under township organization. Provides that, upon petition of at least 5% of the voters in the township election immediately preceding the petition, the township board and corporate authorities of the municipality shall certify the question to the election authority and the authority shall cause to be submitted to the voters of the township and municipality at the next election a referendum to discontinue the township and to transfer all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities of the township to the municipality. Provides that, upon petition of at least 5% of the voters in the township election immediately preceding the petition in each adjacent township subject to proposed consolidation, each township board shall certify and cause to be submitted to the voters of the township, at the next election or consolidated election, a proposition to consolidate the existing townships. Amends the Counties Code and the Motor Fuel Tax Law making conforming changes.