Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB4071

LRB104 13996 SPS 26993 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4071

Introduced 5/30/2025, by Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Modular Homes Act. Provides that no person, firm, or corporation shall establish, maintain, or operate a modular home community without a license from the Illinois Housing Authority. Sets forth requirements for the location and size of modular homes. Requires the Authority to enforce the Act. Limits home rule powers.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

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 Modular Homes Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) there is a serious housing shortage in this State;

(2) rising costs in the building construction field have seriously impeded the building of new housing, particularly for moderate-income and low-income citizens;

(3) the existing housing stock is continuously depleted through demolition resulting from aging buildings, urban renewal, highway construction, and other necessary public improvements;

(4) advances in the construction of modular homes, including the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence in the construction of modular housing, have significantly increased the importance of this mode of housing; and

(5) through proper regulation and licensing, modular homes can contribute to the provision of quality housing for Illinois citizens.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Authority" means the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

"Modular home" means a factory-assembled, completely integrated structure that: (i) is designed for permanent habitation; (ii) is constructed on a permanent foundation; (iii) includes electrical, mechanical, or plumbing services that are fabricated, formed, or assembled at a location other than the site of the completed home; (iv) is not self-propelled; (v) has a square footage of 1,500 square feet or less; (vi); (vii) is connected to utilities for year-round occupancy for use as a permanent habitation; and (viii) is designed and situated to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons. "Modular home" does not include a camper or recreational vehicle or a mobile home or manufactured home, as defined under Section 2.1 of the Mobile Home Park Act.

"Modular home community" means a tract of land or 2 or more contiguous tracts of land upon which there are sites with the necessary utilities for 10 or more independent modular homes for permanent habitation.

Section 15. License to operate modular home community required. No person, firm, or corporation shall establish, maintain, or operate a modular home community without a license from the Authority. A license shall be issued by the Authority upon proper application if the applicant is in substantial compliance with the rules of the Authority.

Section 20. Modular home community permit application requirements. In order to obtain a permit to construct a new modular home community, the applicant shall file with the Authority a written application and plan documents.

Section 25. Modular home lot requirements. Each site on which a modular home is accommodated shall have a minimum area of 3,000 square feet and shall have a permanent foundation. No modular home shall be positioned closer than 25 feet to the side lot lines of a modular home community, or closer than 25 feet to a public street, alley, or building. Each individual site shall abut or face on a private or public street. All streets shall have unobstructed access to a public street. There shall be an open space of at least 10 feet next to the sides of every modular home and an open space of at least 10 feet next to the ends of every modular home.

Section 30. Construction of auxiliary rooms. Porches, carports, garages, sheds, awnings, skirting, and auxiliary rooms shall be constructed of materials specified by rule.

Section 35. Enforcement. The Authority shall enforce the provisions of this Act and the rules adopted under this Act affecting health, sanitation, water supply, sewage, garbage, fire safety, and waste disposal.

Section 40. Rules. The Authority may issue rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. The rules may contain provisions for the Authority to grant a waiver to a modular home community, if the intent and purpose of the Act are met.

Section 45. Home rule. A home rule unit may not regulate the licensing of modular homes in a manner less restrictive than the regulation by the State of the licensing of modular homes under this Act. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.