Rockford Sun

Joe C. Sosnowski introduced HB3725 in the Illinois House on Feb. 7, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Creates the Local Government Billing Act. Provides that the corporate authorities of a unit of local government shall bill for any utility service, including previously unbilled service, within 12 months (for residential customers) or 24 months (for non-residential customers) after the provision of the utility service. Provides exceptions to the time limits for billing when the customer prevented the utility from accurately reading the meter. Provides that the corporate authorities shall not intentionally delay billing beyond the normal billing cycle, shall label amounts attributed to previously unbilled service as such, shall prorate previously unbilled service amounts to reflect varying rates during the unbilled time, and shall provide the customer with a payment arrangement option for previously unbilled service amounts. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts that were billed to a customer before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts if the customer was notified that there is an unpaid amount before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that there is no time limit for the corporate authorities of a unit of local government to collect previously unbilled service attributed to tampering, theft of service, fraud, or the customer preventing the utility's recorded efforts to obtain an accurate reading of the meter."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, titled the Local Government Billing Act, establishes regulations for local government billing of utility services, including waterworks, sewerage systems, and electric utilities. Effective immediately, it mandates that corporate authorities bill residential customers for services within 12 months and non-residential customers within 24 months. Exceptions to these time limits include unpaid amounts billed before the Act's effective date and issues related to tampering or fraud. The bill prohibits delaying bills beyond normal cycles, requires proper labeling of unbilled services, and allows prorated billing for periods with varying rates. It also offers a payment plan option for makeup bills without interest or late fees. Additionally, it restricts home rule governments from enacting inconsistent regulations, following the constraints outlined in the Illinois Constitution.

Joe C. Sosnowski has proposed another 20 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Sosnowski graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1999 with a BA.

Joe Sosnowski is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 69th House District. He replaced previous state representative Ronald A. Wait in 2011.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB3725	02/07/2025	Creates the Local Government Billing Act. Provides that the corporate authorities of a unit of local government shall bill for any utility service, including previously unbilled service, within 12 months (for residential customers) or 24 months (for non-residential customers) after the provision of the utility service. Provides exceptions to the time limits for billing when the customer prevented the utility from accurately reading the meter. Provides that the corporate authorities shall not intentionally delay billing beyond the normal billing cycle, shall label amounts attributed to previously unbilled service as such, shall prorate previously unbilled service amounts to reflect varying rates during the unbilled time, and shall provide the customer with a payment arrangement option for previously unbilled service amounts. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts that were billed to a customer before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts if the customer was notified that there is an unpaid amount before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that there is no time limit for the corporate authorities of a unit of local government to collect previously unbilled service attributed to tampering, theft of service, fraud, or the customer preventing the utility's recorded efforts to obtain an accurate reading of the meter.
HB3723	02/07/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the total property tax bill for any property receiving the senior citizens homestead exemption may not exceed 101% of the tax bill for the immediately preceding taxable year.
HB3724	02/07/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 tax year (to be collected in 2027), the total tax bill for property receiving the General Homestead Exemption may not exceed 103% of the total property tax bill for the property for the immediately preceding taxable year. Contains provisions concerning the reallocation of property tax liability.
HB3009	02/06/2025	Amends the School Code. Provides that immediately upon the determination of a substantial deficiency in reading or the characteristics of dyslexia based upon (i) screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, or assessment data, (ii) statewide assessments, or (iii) teacher observations, the parent or legal guardian of a student in grades 1 through 3 who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading must be notified in writing by the student's teacher of the following: (1) that the student has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in reading; (2) a description of the services that the school district currently is providing to the student; (3) a description of the proposed supplemental instructional services and supports that are designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency which the school district plans to provide the student; and (4) strategies for parents and guardians to use in helping the student to succeed in reading proficiency.
HB3012	02/06/2025	Amends the Aircraft Landing and Taking Off Restriction Act. Defines "roadable aircraft". Provides that roadable aircraft shall be required to take off and land from a suitable airstrip and shall be prohibited from taking off and landing from any public roadway, unless under conditions of an emergency. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "N-Number license markings" as markings assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration to identify roadable aircraft. Defines "roadable aircraft" as any aircraft capable of taking off and landing from a suitable airfield that is also designed to be driven on public roadways as a conveyance. Provides that a roadable aircraft shall be considered a motor vehicle while in operation on the roadways of the State. Exempts roadable aircraft from certificate of title requirements. Provides that the Secretary of State shall authorize the issuance of license plates of a suitable size that are specific to roadable aircraft and that bear the N-Number of the vehicle. Provides that roadable aircraft shall be identified using the federally issued tail number and may, but shall not be required to, display an additional license plate. Provides that roadable aircraft shall be issued one annual registration sticker and provides for the display of the registration sticker. Exempts roadable aircraft from motor vehicle inspection requirements.
HB3015	02/06/2025	Amends Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971. Provides that signs that advertise a business, including, but not limited to, a gas station, shall be allowed on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate highway 90 before Exit 25 (Genoa Road). Makes conforming changes.
HB2767	02/05/2025	Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certificates of registration shall be issued in the form and manner required by the Department of Revenue. Provides that certificates of registration shall be displayed in the manner and form as the Department of Revenue may require by rule. Amends the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995. Provides that certain returns and supporting schedules shall be filed and payments shall be made by electronic means. Effective immediately, except that provisions amending the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995 take effect January 1, 2026.
HB2865	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that the amount of the taxes imposed under the Act shall be reduced in each year by 20%. Provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after January 1, 2030 or for transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2030. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2031. Effective immediately.
HB2915	02/05/2025	Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must abide by the following: if an athletic team or sport is designated as being female, it is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.
HB2543	02/04/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides for a non-binding, advisory referendum on the question of whether a taxing district should reduce its aggregate extension by up to 10% from its aggregate extension for the previous taxable year. Provides that the referendum shall be initiated by a petition signed by a number of registered voters of the taxing district that is equal to or greater than 1% but less than 5% of the total number of votes cast in the taxing district in the preceding general election. Provides for a binding referendum on the question of whether a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension by up to 10% from its aggregate extension for the previous taxable year. Provides that the referendum shall be initiated by a petition signed by a number of registered voters of a taxing district that is equal to or greater than 5% of the total number of votes cast in the taxing district in the preceding general election. Preempts the power of home rule units to tax. Effective immediately.
HB2661	02/04/2025	Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a licensee requesting a new license shall submit $5 (rather than $75, of which $60 shall be apportioned to the State Police Firearm Services Fund, $5 shall be apportioned to the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and $10 shall be apportioned to the State Crime Laboratory Fund). Provides that the fees collected under this provision shall be deposited into the State Police Firearm Services Fund.
HB2515	02/03/2025	Amends the Township Code. Provides that all townships with a population less than 500 are dissolved 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides for the transfer of real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving township to the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township. Provides that, on and after the date of dissolution, all rights and duties of the dissolved township may be exercised by the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township solely on behalf of the residents of the geographic area within the boundaries of the dissolved township. Provides that the county board of the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township may levy a property tax within the boundaries of the dissolved township for the duties taken on by the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township. Provides that all road districts wholly within the boundaries of a dissolving township are dissolved on the date of dissolution of the dissolving township and the powers and responsibilities of the road district are transferred to the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township, and provides that municipalities within the dissolving township may elect to assume the duties and responsibilities of the road district or road districts. Provides that elected and appointed township officers and road commissioners shall cease to hold office on the date of dissolution of the township and road districts, no longer be compensated, and do not have legal recourse relating to the ceasing of their elected or appointed positions upon the ceasing of their offices. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law and Counties Code making conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB2360	01/30/2025	Creates the Local Government Business Anti-Poaching Act. Provides that no municipality or county shall offer after the effective date of the Act any incentive to a business or corporation to move its headquarters located in Illinois, or any part of its business located in Illinois, away from the current location. Defines "incentive". Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.
HB1744	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires proof that each party to the marriage has attained the age of 18 years in order to obtain a license to marry and a marriage certificate from the county clerk. Deletes language allowing proof that each party to the marriage will have attained the age of 18 years at the time the marriage license is effective or will have attained the age of 16 years and has either the consent to the marriage of both parents or his guardian or judicial approval. Makes corresponding changes. Repeals a provision regarding judicial approval of underage marriages. Effective immediately, except that specified provisions take effect 2 years after the amendatory Act becomes law.
HB1745	01/24/2025	Amends the Child Labor Law of 2024. Provides that no employer shall employ, allow, or permit a minor to work more than 3 hours per day (currently, more than 3 hours per day or more than 8 hours total of work and school hours on days when school is in session). Makes changes in various provisions to limit the number of hours worked by a minor outside of school hours to 18 hours in a week (currently, 24 hours in a week).
HB1746	01/24/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the term "maximum income limitation" for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption means the greater of (i) $80,000 or (ii) $80,000 adjusted by certain increases in the consumer price index-u. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall, not later than January 31 of each calendar year, calculate, publish, and transmit to all county clerks and county treasurers the indexed maximum income limitation number. In provisions concerning the general homestead exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum reduction is $10,000 in all counties.
HB1747	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires every applicant for the registration of a motor vehicle to present, at the time of submission of an application for registration, a valid driver's license.
HB1748	01/24/2025	Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that all bills introduced in the General Assembly must remain in the chamber of origin for at least 5 calendar days before they can be voted upon on third reading and passed out of the chamber. Provides that, upon passage to the other chamber of the General Assembly, the 5 calendar day requirement is in effect and begins with the day of the bill's arrival in the new chamber. Provides that if a bill is amended in a chamber, the bill must remain in the chamber for an additional 5 calendar days starting with the day the amendment is filed and adopted.
HB1749	01/24/2025	Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State shall adopt a policy that allows for a student to participate in interscholastic athletics immediately upon completing a transfer from one school to another school and enrolling in that other school. Provides that the policy may prohibit the student from participating in interscholastic athletics at that other school before the school transfer process is complete and the transfer has been accepted by the principal of the school from which the student is transferring and the principal of the school to which the student is transferring. Effective July 1, 2025.
HB1750	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for gratuities that are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Creates an income tax deduction for the amount of overtime compensation that is paid to the taxpayer during the taxable year and that is included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Effective immediately.
HB1751	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language providing that the examination of an applicant for a driver's license or permit who is 75 years of age or older or, if the Secretary of State adopts rules to raise the age requirement for actual demonstrations, the examination of an applicant who has attained that increased age or is older shall include an actual demonstration of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of the operation of a motor vehicle. Effective January 1, 2026.