HB4943 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS THEFT
Last Action
4/09/2026 - House: Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 098-000-000
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
815 ILCS 325/2  from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322
815 ILCS 325/4.1  
815 ILCS 325/6.5  
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amount unless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of a licensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider of broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specific to telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used to provide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of theft of these wires and equipment in this State. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of one representative of a wireless telecommunications carrier. Provides that the Task Force shall, by October 31 of each year, report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes the definition of the term "recyclable metal". Defines the terms "burned wire" and "telecommunications wire".

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Deletes reference to:
815 ILCS 325/6.5  
Adds reference to:
815 ILCS 325/4.3  
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that a recyclable metal dealer shall not pay cash in payment for telecommunications wire having a value of $100 or more. Makes a change to provisions concerning restricted purchases. Makes a change to the definition of "telecommunications wire". Removes provisions concerning the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force.
Actions
DateChamberAction
2/04/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman
2/06/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/06/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
3/18/2026HouseAssigned to Public Utilities Committee
3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman
3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/20/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
3/24/2026HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee; 017-000-000
3/24/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled
3/24/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
3/25/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/25/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman
3/25/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
3/26/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
4/07/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 015-000-000
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kyle Moore
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Vella
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
4/08/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/08/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/08/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Norine K. Hammond
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. John M. Cabello
4/09/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Stephens
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jeff Keicher
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
4/09/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
4/09/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicole La Ha
4/09/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 098-000-000
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandun Schweizer
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jackie Haas
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill
4/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason