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.


LRB104 17611 RTM 31041 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB5096LRB104 17611 RTM 31041 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Sections 
55-1195 and 11-13-30 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/5-1195 new)
7    Sec. 5-1195. Hotels operating as refugee shelters.
8    (a) As used in this Section: 
9    "Hotel" has the meaning given to that term in Section 5-5 
10of the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act.
11    "Refugee shelter" means a place that provides essential 
12services for refugees forced to flee their homes due to 
13conflict, persecution, or disaster. 
14    (b) The corporate authorities of a county may not allow a 
15hotel within the county that is not within the boundaries of a 
16municipality to operate as a refugee shelter unless the hotel 
17has received permission to operate as a refugee shelter from 
18the corporate authorities of the county.
19    (c) The corporate authorities of a county may only provide 
20a hotel with permission to operate as a refugee shelter for a 
21period of not more than 2 years. The corporate authorities of a 
22county may renew a hotel's permission to operate as a refugee 
23shelter.
 
 
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1    (d) The corporate authorities of a county shall require a 
2hotel operating as a refugee shelter to comply with the zoning 
3laws of the county.
4    (e) This Section does not apply if the Governor declares a 
5disaster under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management 
6Agency Act. 
 
7    (55 ILCS 5/11-13-30 new)
8    Sec. 11-13-30. Hotels operating as refugee shelters.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10    "Hotel" has the meaning given to that term in Section 5-5 
11of the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act.
12    "Refugee shelter" means a place that provides essential 
13services for refugees forced to flee their homes due to 
14conflict, persecution, or disaster. 
15    (b) The corporate authorities of a municipality may not 
16allow a hotel within the municipality to operate as a refugee 
17shelter unless the hotel has received permission to operate as 
18a refugee shelter from the corporate authorities of the 
19municipality.
20    (c) The corporate authorities of a municipality may only 
21provide a hotel with permission to operate as a refugee 
22shelter for a period of not more than 2 years. The corporate 
23authorities of a municipality may renew a hotel's permission 
24to operate as a refugee shelter.
25    (d) The corporate authorities of a municipality shall 
 
 
HB5096- 3 -LRB104 17611 RTM 31041 b

1require a hotel operating as a refugee shelter to comply with 
2the zoning laws of the municipality.
3    (e) This Section does not apply if the Governor declares a 
4disaster under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management 
5Agency Act.