HB3543 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10968 BAB 21050 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3543

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Rep. Regan Deering

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Cost of Living Task Force Act to analyze driving factors in Illinois that may increase the costs of living, including stagnant unemployment, costs of groceries, rising consumer prices, housing, health care, utilities, transportation, and taxes. Sets forth provisions concerning membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from among its membership and any other officer it deems appropriate. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide technical support and assistance to the Task Force and to implement the provisions of the Act. Provides that members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for their services on the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet at least once per quarter beginning as soon as practicable after the effective date of the Act. Requires the Task Force to submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than November 1, 2028 that includes legislative reforms; private sector incentives; regulatory reforms; new funding avenues; reducing taxes; and identifying current barriers and factors hurting the cost and affordability of doing business in Illinois. Dissolves the Task Force upon filing of the report.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Cost of Living Task Force Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Illinois residents have faced increase costs of living including rising unemployment and costs of groceries, housing, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and taxes.

(2) Addressing these rising costs of every day living is the upmost concern by this State so we can help Illinois citizens enjoy a comfortable quality of life.

(3) A collaborative Task Force that can provide legislative solutions to address these problems.

Section 10. Cost of Living Task Force; duties and responsibilities.

(a) The Cost of Living Task Force is created. The Task Force shall be proactive and analyze driving factors in Illinois that may increase the costs of living, including stagnant unemployment, costs of groceries, rising consumer prices, housing, health care, utilities, transportation, and taxes.

(b) The Task Force shall:

(1) compare Illinois cost of living metrics to federal metrics and peer State metrics, including nearby states in the Midwest;

(2) identify State programs that could be expanded or reformed to reduce costs;

(3) meet with both State and federal policy experts to discuss these issues;

(4) use data and references from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, National Conference of State Legislators, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), U.S. Labor of Statistics, and any other groups the Task Force identifies as valuable. This data can be used to compare Illinois to other states and find a common solution to address cost of living increases.

Section 15. Task Force membership; compensation; meetings.

(a) The Cost-of-Living Task Force shall consist of:

(1) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) 2 members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) 1 member appointed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce;

(6) 1 member appointed by the Illinois Manufacturing Association;

(7) 1 member appointed by the Illinois Municipal League;

(8) 1 member appointed by the Illinois State Association of Counties; and

(9) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Director's designee.

(b) The Task Force shall elect a chairperson from among its membership and any other officer it deems appropriate. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide technical support and assistance to the Task Force and shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this Act.

(c) The members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for their services on the Task Force.

(d) The Task Force shall meet at least once per quarter beginning as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.

Section 20. Report; dissolution. The Cost of Living Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than November 1, 2028, and shall be dissolved upon the filing of its report. The report shall advise the General Assembly and the Governor on:

(1) legislative reforms;

(2) private sector incentives;

(3) regulatory reforms;

(4) new funding avenues;

(5) reducing taxes; and

(6) identifying current barriers and factors hurting the cost and affordability of doing business in Illinois.