IllinoisIllinois towns could license and regulate most commercial operations but not tax them
Illinois cities and villages would be allowed to license and regulate commercial operations within their borders, though farm-related activity and pollution control facilities would be left out.
What it does
Municipal leaders could license and regulate commercial operations in their town, whether run for profit or not.
This power would not let a municipality tax commercial operations, unless another law already allows that tax.
Farm-related activity, including agritourism and agribusiness, and pollution control facilities would not count as commercial operations under this power.
Argument forClear authority to license and regulate commercial operations could help towns set local rules for businesses and groups operating nearby.
Argument againstBecause commercial operations is broad and covers nonprofits too, licensing rules could add new paperwork or costs for small businesses and community groups.
More detail
A municipality's corporate authorities may license and regulate all commercial operations within its boundaries, whether for profit or not. It covers commercial operations inside a municipality, including those run by nonprofit groups. The text does not define commercial operations beyond the exclusions listed.
A municipality may not tax these operations except where other law allows it. It limits the new licensing and regulating power for commercial operations. Taxes already allowed by other laws would still be allowed.
The term commercial operations would leave out agritourism, farm property, agribusiness, agricultural experiences, and pollution control facilities. It uses definitions from the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Department of Agriculture Law, the Agricultural Experiences Act, and the Environmental Protection Act.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 27Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Donald P. DeWitteLatest
- 2025
- May 15Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Thaddeus Jones
- Apr 14Referred to Assignments
- Apr 14First ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 10House Floor Amendment No. 1 TabledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 10Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000Passed House
- Apr 10Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 10House Floor Amendment No. 2 AdoptedMajor
- Apr 9Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Stephens
- Apr 9Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
- Apr 9Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
- Apr 8House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Cities & Villages Committee; 009-000-000Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Cities & Villages Committee
- Apr 7House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 7House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Martha DeuterMinor
- Apr 7House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Cities & Villages Committee
- Apr 4House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 4House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Martha DeuterMinor
- Mar 26Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 26Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 25Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness
- Mar 25Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Martha Deuter
- Mar 19Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 18Do Pass / Short Debate Cities & Villages Committee; 011-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Assigned to Cities & Villages CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 6First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Suzanne M. NessIntroduced
Government & EthicsEconomy & Jobs