Bill Text: IL HB3543 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-07 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Regan Deering [HB3543 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB3543-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3543 Introduced , 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.
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A BILL FOR
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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

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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

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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

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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.