Bill Text: IL HB3349 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Defines terms. Sets forth findings. Requires an electric utility that operates within the State to (i) upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, (ii) conduct sufficient advance planning, engineering, and construction of increased distribution of system capacity by advance ordering transformers and other needed equipment so that customers can be energized without substantial delay, (iii) promptly energize new customers, including by ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of the utility to implement energization projects, (iv) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers, (v) allow customers seeking energization to choose an optional flexible connection agreement, which shall provide a tariffed, voluntary utility offering that requires customers to agree to specified service levels as a requirement of energization or interconnection through the use of demand response technology that limits the net import and export of electricity at the point of common coupling to remain within the rated capacity limits of a customer's existing service connection or distribution circuit, either on a permanent basis or to allow for immediate project operations before service or distribution system upgrades are completed, and (vi) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and qualified workforce to carry out the planning, engineering, and construction of electrical distribution systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking energization and service upgrades without sacrificing other necessary activities of the workforce. Sets forth provisions concerning: the staffing of an electrification team; electric utility requirements; recovery of costs; and safety standards. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-07 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II [HB3349 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB3349-Introduced.html

---

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3349 Introduced , by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Defines terms. Sets forth findings. Requires an electric utility that operates within the State to (i) upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, (ii) conduct sufficient advance planning, engineering, and construction of increased distribution of system capacity by advance ordering transformers and other needed equipment so that customers can be energized without substantial delay, (iii) promptly energize new customers, including by ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of the utility to implement energization projects, (iv) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers, (v) allow customers seeking energization to choose an optional flexible connection agreement, which shall provide a tariffed, voluntary utility offering that requires customers to agree to specified service levels as a requirement of energization or interconnection through the use of demand response technology that limits the net import and export of electricity at the point of common coupling to remain within the rated capacity limits of a customer's existing service connection or distribution circuit, either on a permanent basis or to allow for immediate project operations before service or distribution system upgrades are completed, and (vi) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and qualified workforce to carry out the planning, engineering, and construction of electrical distribution systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking energization and service upgrades without sacrificing other necessary activities of the workforce. Sets forth provisions concerning: the staffing of an electrification team; electric utility requirements; recovery of costs; and safety standards. Effective immediately.
LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
A BILL FOR
HB3349 LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
AN ACT concerning regulation.
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
Powering Up Illinois Act.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
"Electric utility" means an electric utility serving more
than 200,000 customers in this State.
"Electrification" means any new use of electricity,
expanded use of electricity, or change in use of electricity,
including, but not limited to, any change in the use of
electricity in the industrial, commercial, agricultural,
housing, or transportation sectors.
"Energization" and "energize" means the connection of new
customers to the electrical grid, the establishment of
adequate electrical capacity to provide service for a new
customer, or upgrading electrical capacity to provide adequate
service to an existing customer. "Energization" and "energize"
do not include activities related to connecting electricity
supply resources.
"Energization time period" means the period of time that
begins when the electric utility receives a substantially

HB3349 - 2 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
complete energization project application and ends when the
electric service associated with the project is installed and
energized, consistent with the service obligations set forth
in the Section 8-101 of the Public Utilities Act.
Section 10. Findings. The General Assembly finds the
following:
(1) It is the policy of the State to increase the
amount of electric vehicles used in the State to 1,000,000
by 2030. That expanded infrastructure investment will help
Illinois more rapidly decarbonize the transportation
sector. Widespread use of electric vehicles and charging
equipment has the potential to provide customers with fuel
cost savings and provide electric utility customers with
cost-saving benefits. Widespread use of electric vehicles
stimulates innovation, competition, and increased choices
in charging equipment and networks, attracts private
capital investments to the State, and creates high-quality
jobs in the State. Accelerating the adoption of electric
vehicles will drive the decarbonization of the States'
transportation sector. To meet these goals and federal,
State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization
standards, plans, and regulations, a large increase in
both the quantity of electricity used and the functions
for which electricity will be used is needed.
(2) To meet these decarbonization goals as well as

HB3349 - 3 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
federal, State, regional, and local air quality and
decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, the
following must occur:
(A) the State's electrical distribution systems
must be substantially upgraded;
(B) new customers must promptly connect to the
electrical distribution system; and
(C) existing customers must have the customer's
service level promptly upgraded.
(3) There are many reports of large housing
developments that are unable to be energized promptly. The
State has an urgent need to increase its supply of
housing, requiring both new electrical distribution
capacity and the prompt energization of new housing.
(4) There are many reports of individual customers who
are unable to have their electrical service promptly
upgraded or energized and charging stations for
light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and
off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment that are
unable to be energized promptly. These delays may inhibit
the State's ability to meet its decarbonization goals and
federal, State, regional, and local air quality and
decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations.
(5) To improve the speed at which energization and
service upgrades are performed, electric utilities that
distribute electricity need to do both of the following:

HB3349 - 4 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
(A) accelerate the utility's advance planning,
engineering, and construction of increased
distribution and transmission system capacity; and
(B) advance order transformers, switchgear, and
other needed equipment to support acceleration of
activities in subparagraph (A).
(6) Electrifying transportation and buildings can put
downward pressure on rates by spreading fixed costs over
more kilowatt-hours of usage.
(7) Delays in energization, including service
upgrades, are costly both to the customers awaiting
service and to other customers who are deprived of the
downward pressure on rates.
(8) To carry out the planning, engineering, and
construction of electrical distribution systems needed to
promptly serve customers, electric utilities that
distribute electricity need to recruit, train, and retain
an adequately sized, qualified workforce.
(9) The Illinois Commerce Commission needs to
establish target deadlines for utilities that distribute
electricity to energize new customers and upgrade the
service of existing customers.
(10) The Illinois Commerce Commission needs to
establish reporting requirements for electric utilities
that distribute electricity to report the extent to which
they comply with the target deadlines and the reasons for

HB3349 - 5 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
any noncompliance.
Section 15. Electrical distribution system upgrades. To
fulfill the service obligations specified in Section 8-101 of
the Public Utilities Act, an electric utility that operates
within the State shall:
(1) upgrade the State's electrical distribution
systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's
decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State,
regional, and local air quality and decarbonization
standards, plans, and regulations;
(2) conduct sufficient advance planning, engineering,
and construction of increased distribution of system
capacity by advance ordering transformers and other needed
equipment so that customers can be energized without
substantial delay;
(3) promptly energize new customers, including by
ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new
charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty
vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and
equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of
the utility to implement energization projects;
(4) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers;
(5) allow customers seeking energization to choose an
optional flexible connection agreement, which shall
provide a tariffed, voluntary utility offering that

HB3349 - 6 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
requires customers to agree to specified service levels as
a requirement of energization or interconnection through
the use of demand response technology that limits the net
import and export of electricity at the point of common
coupling to remain within the rated capacity limits of a
customer's existing service connection or distribution
circuit, either on a permanent basis or to allow for
immediate project operations before service or
distribution system upgrades are completed; and
(6) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and
qualified workforce to carry out the planning,
engineering, and construction of electrical distribution
systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking
energization and service upgrades without sacrificing
other necessary activities of the workforce.
Section 20. Commission requirements.
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this Act,
the Commission shall adopt rules that meet all of the
following requirements:
(1) Rules that establish reasonable average and
maximum target energization time periods. The targets
shall ensure that work is completed in a safe and reliable
manner that minimizes delay in meeting the date requested
by the customer for completion of the project to the
greatest extent possible and prioritizes work in a manner

HB3349 - 7 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
consistent with Sections 25 and 30. The targets may vary
depending on the complexity and magnitude of the work
required and uncertainties regarding the readiness of the
customer project needing energization. The targets may
also recognize any factors beyond the electric utility's
control.
(2) Rules that establish requirements for an electric
utility to report to the Commission, at least annually, in
order to track and improve electric utility performance.
The report shall include the average, median, and standard
deviation time between receiving an application for
electrical service and energizing the electrical service,
explanations for energization time periods that exceed the
target maximum for energization projects, constraints and
obstacles to each type of energization, including, but not
limited to, funding limitations, qualified staffing
availability, or equipment availability, and any other
information requested by the Commission.
(3) Rules that establish a procedure for customers to
report energization delays to the Illinois Commerce
Commission.
(b) If energization time periods exceed the Commission's
target averages or if the electric utility has a substantial
number of energization projects that exceed the Commission's
target maximums, the electric utility shall include in its
report pursuant to rules adopted under paragraph (2) of

HB3349 - 8 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
subsection (a) a strategy for meeting the targets in the
future. The Commission may request modification of the
electric utility's strategy to ensure that the electric
utility meets targets promptly and consistent with the
policies set forth in Section 25.
(c) Data reported by electric utilities shall be
anonymized or aggregated to the extent necessary to prevent
identifying individual customers. The Commission shall require
all reports to be publicly available.
(d) The Commission shall require the electric utility to
take any remedial actions necessary to achieve the
Commission's targets, including the use of incentives or
penalties.
Section 25. Electrification team; staffing.
(a) The Commission shall require each electric utility to
establish a dedicated electrification team that shall, at a
minimum, do the following:
(1) serve as a single point of contact for customers
throughout the entire energization process;
(2) proactively engage with customers to understand
and support electrification plans; and
(3) provide customers with consolidated and
coordinated access to all beneficial electrification
customer programs, accounts, and relevant information to
support electrification and the energization process.

HB3349 - 9 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
(b) The Commission shall require each electric utility to
have adequate qualified staffing needed for the
electrification team to achieve the policies and requirements
of this Act.
(c) For job classifications that have apprentice training
requirements, the Commission shall require each electric
utility to maintain a pipeline of apprentices sufficient to
meet future qualified staffing needs, subject to any
limitations based on safe staffing ratios.
(d) As part of each report required pursuant to rules
adopted under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 20,
and in each general rate case application, each electric
utility shall include a detailed analysis of its current
qualified staffing level and future required qualified
staffing level for each job classification needed to achieve
the policies and requirements of this Act.
Section 30. Electric utility requirements. The Commission
shall require an electric utility to do the following:
(1) consider, in its internal distribution planning
process and in the development of the Multi-Year
Integrated Grid Plans required by Section 16-105.17 of the
Public Utilities Act, all of the following:
(A) federal, State, regional, and local air
quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and
regulations;

HB3349 - 10 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
(B) the transportation and building
electrification policies of State law;
(C) State agency, local agency, and local
government plans and requirements related to housing,
economic development, critical facilities,
transportation, and building electrification; and
(D) load and electrification forecasts that
include the following:
(I) known load and projections of load
conducted by State agencies and projections of
load that exceed forecasts conducted by State
agencies;
(II) a minimum of 3 time horizons, including
short-term (one to 2 years), medium-term (3 to 5
years), and long-term (6 to 10 years) time
horizons;
(III) scenarios that are consistent with
implementing the laws, standards, plans, and
regulations described in subparagraphs (A), (B),
and (C) of paragraph (1);
(IV) forecasts of peak demand at the
federal-level; and
(V) a consideration of the impact of
distributed energy resource forecasts and,
specifically, local generation;
(2) consider all of the following in its site

HB3349 - 11 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
evaluation and design process:
(A) automated load management, managed charging,
and distributed energy resources to defer or mitigate
energization-related grid upgrades; and
(B) if the above solutions cannot defer or
mitigate an upgrade, the electric utility shall
evaluate traditional system upgrades;
(3) adopt and implement rules to satisfy the policies
set forth in Section 20 and to meet the energization time
periods established under paragraph (1) of subsection (a)
of Section 20; and
(4) submit supplemental applications between the
4-year cycles specified for the submission of the
Multi-Year Integrated Grid Plans required by Section
16-105.17 of the Public Utilities Act as needed to comply
with the energization time periods established under
paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 20 and to
accommodate the load growth necessary to implement the
laws, standards, plans, and regulations described in
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1).
Section 35. Recovery of costs. The Commission shall ensure
that electric utilities have sufficient and timely recovery of
costs to be consistent with the findings and achieve the
policies and requirements of this Act and Section 16-105.17 of
the Public Utilities Act.

HB3349 - 12 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
Section 40. Safety. To ensure the safety and reliability
of electrical infrastructure associated with charging electric
vehicles:
(1) The Commission, Environmental Protection Agency,
and Department of Transportation shall require that all
electric vehicle charging infrastructure and equipment
located on the customer side of the electrical meter that
is funded or authorized, in whole or in part, by those
State entities shall be installed by a licensed, bonded,
and insured electrical contractor registered in the
municipality where work is to be performed, and who has at
least one electrician on each crew, at any given time, who
holds an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program
certification.
(2) The Commission, Environmental Protection Agency,
and Department of Transportation shall require the
projects that are funded or authorized, in whole or in
part, by those State entities and that install a charging
port supplying 25 kilowatts or more to a vehicle to have at
least 25% of the total electricians working on the crew
for the project, at any given time, hold an Electric
Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certification.
(3) One member of each crew may be both the contractor
and an electrician certified by Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure Training Program.

HB3349 - 13 - LRB104 10938 AAS 21020 b
(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the following:
(A) electric vehicle charging infrastructure
installed by employees of an electric utility or local
publicly owned electric utility; or
(B) single-family home residential electric
vehicle chargers.
(5) An electrical apprenticeship program registered
with United States Department of Labor that provides
training to apprentices and continuing education to
journey-level workers may provide Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure Training Program training with the
apprenticeship program's own instructors certified by an
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program. The
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program
certification exam shall be administered by the Electric
Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.