State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the Senate for further deliberation.

Many of them could have an impact on how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

House Bill 228, or the Junk Fee Ban Act, would make it illegal for businesses to advertise items at a specific price without also including all fees and surcharges related to the purchase within the advertised price.

The bill specifically carves out tips and any taxes or fees imposed by the government.

The bill specifically lists a number of different services it aims to impact, including food delivery platforms and hotels. It would also apply to internet, cable and phone service providers, among others.

On the floor, Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox Lake, told fellow lawmakers to vote against the bill, despite agreeing with the bill’s intent.

“I think its a great idea, however, I think this bill goes just a step too far on our already overburdened businesses here in the State of Illinois,” Weber said.

House Bill 4592, the Retail Cash Payment Act, would require most stores and establishments in the state to accept cash as a form of payment, excluding transactions done at self-checkout stations and online.

Violators of the law would first receive a written notice and would then escalate, beginning at no more than $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $500 for each additional offense within 12 months of the first.

House Bill 4137 would allow school districts to provide for an extended motel stay for a child who is at risk of becoming or is homeless. Currently, school districts can already give rental or mortgage assistance and other financial support that could result in a child losing permanent housing.

Clarifying her bill, Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, said it could actually be a cost-saving measure for school districts alreadying supporting unhoused students, who may be displaced far from their school if staying with family.

“It will reduce the transportation costs for the school districts by allowing them to house the family closer to the district,” Mussman said. “School districts are spending significant resources on Ubers and taxis, et cetera, trying to transport these kids back to the home district.”

House Bill 5093 would change the requirements necessary to receive in-state tuition rates, removing language requiring students to have lived in the state while attending high school and not have been a resident of a different state before attending a state university.

To be eligible, students will still be required to have spent two years at and receive a diploma from an in-state high school.

House Bill 5316 would give the Illinois Emergency Management Agency the right to enter public and private property to take environmental samples in response to disasters that could result in radioactive contamination.

House Bill 1590 creates a civil liability for the sending of unsolicited intimate images for individuals over the age of 18. If a person knowingly sends obscene material over the internet to another adult individual, they can be sued for a minimum of $500 or greater damages.

House Bill 4834 The state would no longer collect records of prescription and dispensing of testosterone, mifepristone, estrogen and certain other hormonal medications under the Prescription Monitoring Program. The bill also requires the Illinois Department of Human Services, who currently collects the records, to destroy them by the start of 2027.

The House returns to Springfield this week alongside the Senate, both facing legislative deadlines at the end of the week.