HB4514 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

GENERAL RATE INCREASE HEARINGS
Last Action
4/28/2026 - Senate: Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities
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:
220 ILCS 5/8-306  
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:
220 ILCS 5/8-306  
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
DateChamberAction
1/21/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed
1/26/2026HouseFirst Reading
1/26/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
3/18/2026HouseAssigned to Public Utilities Committee
3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed
3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/20/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
3/24/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Public Utilities Committee; by Voice Vote
3/24/2026HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee; 011-006-000
3/25/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/13/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 013-007-000
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela Syed
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 020-000-000
4/17/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
4/17/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
4/17/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/17/2026HouseChair Rules Standard Debate
4/17/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate
4/17/2026HouseThird Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 081-022-000
4/17/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
4/17/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
4/17/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
4/17/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
4/21/2026SenateArrive in Senate
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
4/21/2026SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
4/21/2026SenateFirst Reading
4/21/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
4/28/2026SenateAssigned to Energy and Public Utilities