Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5096

LRB104 17611 RTM 31041 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5096

Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

55 ILCS 5/5-1195 new
55 ILCS 5/11-13-30 new

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a county may not allow a hotel within the county that is not within the boundaries of a municipality to operate as a refugee shelter unless the hotel has received permission to operate as a refugee shelter from the corporate authorities of the county. Provides that the corporate authorities of a county may only provide a hotel with permission to operate as a refugee shelter for a period of not more than 2 years. Provides that the corporate authorities of a county may renew a hotel's permission to operate as a refugee shelter. Provides that the corporate authorities of a county shall require a hotel operating as a refugee shelter to comply with the zoning laws of the county. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds similar requirements for the corporate authorities of a municipality concerning hotels operating within municipalities.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Sections 5-1195 and 11-13-30 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/5-1195 new)

Sec. 5-1195. Hotels operating as refugee shelters.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Hotel" has the meaning given to that term in Section 5-5 of the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act.

"Refugee shelter" means a place that provides essential services for refugees forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster.

(b) The corporate authorities of a county may not allow a hotel within the county that is not within the boundaries of a municipality to operate as a refugee shelter unless the hotel has received permission to operate as a refugee shelter from the corporate authorities of the county.

(c) The corporate authorities of a county may only provide a hotel with permission to operate as a refugee shelter for a period of not more than 2 years. The corporate authorities of a county may renew a hotel's permission to operate as a refugee shelter.

(d) The corporate authorities of a county shall require a hotel operating as a refugee shelter to comply with the zoning laws of the county.

(e) This Section does not apply if the Governor declares a disaster under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(55 ILCS 5/11-13-30 new)

Sec. 11-13-30. Hotels operating as refugee shelters.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Hotel" has the meaning given to that term in Section 5-5 of the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act.

"Refugee shelter" means a place that provides essential services for refugees forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster.

(b) The corporate authorities of a municipality may not allow a hotel within the municipality to operate as a refugee shelter unless the hotel has received permission to operate as a refugee shelter from the corporate authorities of the municipality.

(c) The corporate authorities of a municipality may only provide a hotel with permission to operate as a refugee shelter for a period of not more than 2 years. The corporate authorities of a municipality may renew a hotel's permission to operate as a refugee shelter.

(d) The corporate authorities of a municipality shall require a hotel operating as a refugee shelter to comply with the zoning laws of the municipality.

(e) This Section does not apply if the Governor declares a disaster under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.