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HB4514 - 104th General Assembly
GENERAL RATE INCREASE HEARINGS
Last Action
House Sponsors
Rep. Nabeela Syed - Jawaharial Williams, Sharon Chung, Laura Faver Dias, Norma Hernandez and Amy ElikSenate Sponsors
(Sen. Ram Villivalam and Napoleon Harris, III)Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
220 ILCS 5/9-226.5 new
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, for any general rate increase requested by a gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility under the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing during which members of the public can provide input on the requested general rate increase. Provides that any affected ratepayer of a requested general rate increase may testify at the public hearing and may file statements that pertain to the subject matter of the public hearing with the person or persons conducting the public hearing. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the public utility that requested a general rate increase at a time and location to be determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to comply with certain requirements when determining the location of a public hearing. Provides that the Commission shall provide reasonable notice that complies with the Open Meetings Act to members of the public regarding a public hearing. Provides that "reasonable notice" means notice that is provided at least 14 days before a public hearing. Provides that public hearings shall be conducted by the full Commission, a single commissioner, or an administrative law judge from the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall take into consideration any testimony or comments received from members of the public during the public hearing in its deliberations on the requested general rate increase. Makes other changes.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, for any general rate increase requested by a gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility company under the provisions of the Act, and upon request from any ratepayer affected by the requested general rate increase or any group with members affected by the requested general rate increase, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall hold at least one in-person public hearing during which members of the public can provide input on the requested general rate increase. Provides that any ratepayer affected by a requested general rate increase or group with members affected by a requested general rate increase may testify at the public hearing and may file statements that pertain to the subject matter of the public hearing with the person or persons conducting the public hearing. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the public utility that requested a general rate increase at a time and location to be determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to comply with certain requirements when determining the location of a public hearing. Provides that the Commission shall provide reasonable notice to the ratepayers affected by a requested general rate increase and any groups with members affected by a requested general rate increase regarding a public hearing under the amendatory provisions. Provides that "reasonable notice" means notice that is provided at least 30 calendar days before a public hearing and that is given to the public and to each customer of the applicable gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility company. Provides that the gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility company shall provide notice of a ratepayer's right to request a public hearing, including a description of the ratepayer's right, to all customers potentially affected by a requested general rate increase in the first bill that is sent to each applicable customer after the filing of the requested general rate increase. Sets forth requirements for the notice. Makes other changes.
House Floor Amendment No. 2
Adds reference to:
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Rates Article of the Public Utilities Act. Provides that when any public utility providing electric, gas, water, or sewer service proposes a general rate increase, in addition to other notice requirements, the public utility must notify its customers of their right to request a public forum. Provides that a customer or group of customers must make a written request to the Illinois Commerce Commission for the public forum. Provides that the Commission, at its discretion, shall schedule the public forum unless it is determined that the Commission does not have adequate staff or financial resources or that the public forum cannot be convened in a timely manner. Requires the public utility to provide advance notice of 30 days for each public forum to the governing bodies of any units of local government affected by the proposed general rate increase. Provides that reports and comments made during or as a result of each public forum must be made available to the hearing officials and reviewed when drafting a recommended or tentative decision, finding, or order. Removes similar language from the provisions of the Service Obligations and Conditions Article of the Public Utilities Act. Makes other changes.
House Floor Amendment No. 3
Adds reference to:
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Rates Article of the Public Utilities Act. Provides that when any public utility providing electric, gas, water, or sewer service proposes a general rate increase, in addition to other notice requirements, the public utility must notify its customers of their right to request a public forum. Provides that a customer or group of customers must make a written request to the Illinois Commerce Commission for the public forum. Provides that the Commission, at its discretion, shall schedule the public forum unless it is determined that the Commission does not have adequate staff or financial resources or that the public forum cannot be convened in a timely manner. Requires the public utility, to the best of the public utility's ability, to provide advance notice of 30 days for each public forum to the governing bodies of any units of local government affected by the proposed general rate increase. Provides that reports and comments made during or as a result of each public forum must be made available to the hearing officials and reviewed when drafting a recommended or tentative decision, finding, or order. Removes similar language from the provisions of the Service Obligations and Conditions Article of the Public Utilities Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2027.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1/21/2026 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed |
| 1/26/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 1/26/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/18/2026 | House | Assigned to Public Utilities Committee |
| 3/18/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed |
| 3/18/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/20/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee |
| 3/24/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Public Utilities Committee; by Voice Vote |
| 3/24/2026 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee; 011-006-000 |
| 3/25/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/13/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams |
| 4/14/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed |
| 4/14/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 4/14/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee |
| 4/15/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 013-007-000 |
| 4/15/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed |
| 4/15/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 4/15/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee |
| 4/16/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 020-000-000 |
| 4/17/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted |
| 4/17/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Chair Rules Standard Debate |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Third Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 081-022-000 |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez |
| 4/17/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik |
| 4/21/2026 | Senate | Arrive in Senate |
| 4/21/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading |
| 4/21/2026 | Senate | Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam |
| 4/21/2026 | Senate | First Reading |
| 4/21/2026 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 4/28/2026 | Senate | Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities |
| 5/07/2026 | Senate | Do Pass Energy and Public Utilities; 013-000-000 |
| 5/07/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 12, 2026 |
| 5/14/2026 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III |
| 5/14/2026 | Senate | Second Reading |
| 5/14/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026 |