HB5071 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)
TOLL HWY AUTH-BILINGUAL PAY
Last Action
3/25/2026 - House: Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
Hearings
Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Hearing Apr 7 2026 2:00PM Stratton Building Room 413 Springfield, IL - House Floor Amendment 2
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has the power to establish a special pay supplement for those positions of employment that require that a person employed in that position speak or write a language other than English. Provides that such paid positions may be eligible for a bilingual pay supplement to attract bilingual individuals, to encourage present employees to become proficient in languages other than English, or to retain qualified bilingual employees. Provides that a bilingual pay supplement shall be processed within 30 calendar days after the employee presents to the Authority a certification from either the designated testing program process selected by the Authority or a State community college confirming that language skill proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking has been satisfied by the employee.
Fiscal Note (Illinois Tollway Authority)
It is estimated that the bilingual pay supplement would result in an annual increase in direct expenditures of $5,948 (5-year cost estimate: $31,579 (assuming 3% annual inflation but no other changes). This amount would be paid from the Tollway’s operating budget. There is no foreseen long-range fiscal effect beyond this recurring expense. The reporting requirement is expected to be absorbed into the agency's existing operational budget; no new staff, funds, or other resources would be required for reporting compliance. Stipend amounts, eligibility, and duration would be subject to union negotiations.
It is estimated that the bilingual pay supplement would result in an annual increase in direct expenditures of $5,948 (5-year cost estimate: $31,579 (assuming 3% annual inflation but no other changes). This amount would be paid from the Tollway’s operating budget. There is no foreseen long-range fiscal effect beyond this recurring expense. The reporting requirement is expected to be absorbed into the agency's existing operational budget; no new staff, funds, or other resources would be required for reporting compliance. Stipend amounts, eligibility, and duration would be subject to union negotiations.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2/04/2026 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Dagmara Avelar |
| 2/10/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 2/10/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 2/24/2026 | House | Assigned to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges |
| 3/03/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dagmara Avelar |
| 3/03/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/18/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges |
| 3/24/2026 | House | Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges; 013-005-000 |
| 3/24/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled |
| 3/25/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 3/25/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dagmara Avelar |
| 3/25/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/26/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges |
| 3/26/2026 | House | Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Dagmara Avelar |
| 3/31/2026 | House | Fiscal Note Filed |
