South Cook News

Robert "Bob" Rita introduced HB2879 in the Illinois House on Feb. 5, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the definition of "gambling device" to include any vending or other electronic machine or device, including, without limitation, a machine or device that awards credits and contains a circuit, meter, or switch capable of removing and recording the removal of credits that offers a person entry into any contest, competition, sweepstakes, scheme, plan, or other selection process that involves or is dependent upon an element of chance for which the person may receive a gift, award, or other item or service of value if that offer is incidental to or results from: (A) the purchase of an item or service of value; or (B) the purchase or gratuitous receipt of a coupon, voucher, certificate, or other similar credit that can be redeemed for or applied towards an item or service of value from such machine or device or elsewhere. Provides that participants in a game of skill or chance where money or other things of value can be won but no payment or purchase is required to participate shall not be convicted of gambling except where participation in such game of skill or chance is accomplished using a gambling device prohibited by these changes to the definition. Provides that a gambling offense involving such a gambling device is a Class 4 felony. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Removes a provision allowing for the use of a game device without a license if the game device is used in an activity that is not gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012. Effective immediately."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill seeks to amend the definition of a "gambling device" in the Illinois Criminal Code to include any electronic device capable of awarding credits that offer entry into chance-based contests where the purchase or receipt of certain items or services is involved. It also stipulates that participating in games of chance or skill without any financial requirement, except when using prohibited devices, is not considered gambling. The bill further categorizes gambling offenses involving such devices as Class 4 felonies, modifies the Video Gaming Act by removing provisions that allowed unlicensed game device use if not considered gambling, and clarifies terms related to Internet access and computing. The bill is effective immediately upon enactment.

Robert "Bob" Rita has proposed another 18 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Rita graduated from Moraine Valley Community College in 1999 with an AA.

Robert "Bob" Rita is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 28th House District. He replaced previous state representative Tom Dart in 2003.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB2879	02/05/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the definition of "gambling device" to include any vending or other electronic machine or device, including, without limitation, a machine or device that awards credits and contains a circuit, meter, or switch capable of removing and recording the removal of credits that offers a person entry into any contest, competition, sweepstakes, scheme, plan, or other selection process that involves or is dependent upon an element of chance for which the person may receive a gift, award, or other item or service of value if that offer is incidental to or results from: (A) the purchase of an item or service of value; or (B) the purchase or gratuitous receipt of a coupon, voucher, certificate, or other similar credit that can be redeemed for or applied towards an item or service of value from such machine or device or elsewhere. Provides that participants in a game of skill or chance where money or other things of value can be won but no payment or purchase is required to participate shall not be convicted of gambling except where participation in such game of skill or chance is accomplished using a gambling device prohibited by these changes to the definition. Provides that a gambling offense involving such a gambling device is a Class 4 felony. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Removes a provision allowing for the use of a game device without a license if the game device is used in an activity that is not gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012. Effective immediately.
HB2752	02/05/2025	Amends the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that meetings of committees of the board may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members if the chairperson of the board determines that an in-person meeting would pose a risk to the health or safety of members of the board or the public and that conducting a meeting by an audio or video conference is in the best interest of the board and the public. Sets forth provisions concerning notice, public participation, voting, verbatim records, and costs.
HB2753	02/05/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants in which the accelerated method of billing and paying taxes is in effect, if the tax bill setting out the first installment of taxes is not mailed by January 31, then (i) the first installment of unpaid taxes shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after April 1 (instead of March 1) and (ii) the second installment shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after September 1 (instead of August 1). Effective immediately.
HB2851	02/05/2025	Creates the Ground-Based Sparkler Purchaser Excise Tax Act. Imposes a tax, beginning July 1, 2025, upon purchasers for the privilege of using ground-based sparklers and not for the purpose of resale at the rate of 6% of the purchase price of ground-based sparklers. Prohibits certain retail combinations or bundles. Requires every retailer required to collect the tax to apply to the Department of Revenue for a certificate of registration. Provides that any retailer required to collect the tax shall be liable to the Department for the tax, whether the tax has been collected, and any such tax shall constitute a debt to the State. Provides for the making of returns. Provides that from the revenue collected, the Department shall pay 25% into the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund, 25% into the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, and 50% into the General Revenue Fund. Provides for recordkeeping requirements. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department shall have full power to administer and enforce the Act. Allows for the arrest of any person who violates the Act, the search of any place of business to inspect all ground-based sparklers, and the seizure of any ground based-sparklers without a warrant. Sets forth hearing requirements after seizure. Allows the Department to adopt rules. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Allows a municipality to prohibit the sale and use of ground-based sparklers on public property. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Amends the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Effective July 1, 2025.
HB2858	02/05/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning on January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for the support component of the nursing facility rate for facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled or intermediate care facilities and for facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 shall be the rate in effect on June 30, 2024 increased by the percent change in the Consumer Price Index-U from September 2016 to September 2025. Effective immediately.
HB2859	02/05/2025	Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a distributor of wine or spirits shall deliver to any retailer within any geographic area in which that distributor has been granted by a wholesaler the right to sell its trademark, brand, or name at least once every 2 weeks if the retailer agrees to purchase at least $200 of wine or spirits from the distributor every 2 weeks. Removes language setting forth a $50 minimum purchase of wine or spirits for a retailer located in a county with a population of less than 3,000,000 that is not adjacent to a county with a population of at least 3,000,000 inhabitants. Makes a conforming change.
HB2860	02/05/2025	Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Creates a cooperative agent license. Provides that a cooperative agent license shall allow the holder to act on behalf of a cooperative purchase group. Establishes a fee for licensure as a cooperative agent. Provides that a licensee with a combined on-premises and off-premises license may make purchases for on-premises use only through an on-premises cooperative purchase group and may make purchases for off-premises use only through an off-premises cooperative purchase group. Provides that cooperative purchase groups, cooperative agents, and the cooperative agents' owners, officers, principals, employees, and their spouse may not: (1) receive cash or anything of value from a retail licensee, importing distributor, distributor, non-resident dealer, or manufacturer as part of a cooperative purchasing agreement; (2) be employed by, consult for, or have an ownership interest in any business or enterprise that provides marketing services or activities on behalf of manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, or distributors; or (3) accept things of value from, or provide marketing services or activities on behalf of, manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, and distributors. Makes conforming and other changes. Provides that it is the duty of every cooperative agent and cooperative purchase group to make books and records available upon reasonable notice for the purpose of investigation and control by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission or any local liquor commission having jurisdiction over a licensee member of a cooperative purchase group. Makes changes concerning the surety bond a cooperative purchase group is required to retain. Changes references from "cooperative purchasing group" to "cooperative purchase group" to conform to the defined term.
HB2878	02/05/2025	Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Provides that applicants for a master sports wagering license shall pay an application fee of $250,000 and a license fee of $15,000,000. Removes provisions concerning the number of master sports wagering licenses to online sports wagering operators and public notice requirements. Provides that a master sports wagering licensee may conduct sports wagering over the Internet or through a mobile application. Removes provisions concerning eligibility requirements for a master sports wagering license, the duty of disclosure for an applicant, and outreach requirements for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Gaming Board. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.
HB2880	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Racing Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Gambling Act. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Gaming Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975.
HB2893	02/05/2025	Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that an elected registrar with control of the internal operations of the registrar's office may contract with a records preservation company for offsite restoration, preservation, and digitization of original, photographic, or microphotographic reproductions of original records of births 100 years old and older and deaths 50 years old and older, and marriage records 75 years old and older, if the company provides the elected official the protocols used to protect the records and ensure chain of custody before the elected registrar enters into the contract, and the elected registrar affirms the that the protocols used to protect the records and ensure chain of custody meet the standards set forth by the elected official.
HB2947	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall not require individuals hired exclusively to perform functions that are not related in any way to gaming operations to hold an occupational license. Provides that the Board may issue a non-gaming identification badge upon payment of a non-refundable annual fee set by the Board. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a non-gaming identification badge. Effective immediately.
HB2634	02/04/2025	Amends the Preventing Youth Vaping Act. In provisions regarding prohibitions, provides that electronic cigarettes first sold prior to August 8, 2016, and for which a pending premarket tobacco product application was submitted (rather than for which a premarket tobacco product application was submitted) to the U.S. Food and Drug administration by September 9, 2020, shall not be deemed to be adulterated. Provides that any distributor, secondary distributor, or retailer who sells, offers for sale, or distributes electronic cigarettes shall obtain a certification by the manufacturer stating that the cigarettes are not adulterated, with certain requirements. Limits liability for a distributor, secondary distributor, or retailer for a false or misleading statement in a certification. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce violations of these provisions under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
HB2464	02/03/2025	Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no health insurer may charge a patient out-of-network rates for neonatal care at any hospital.
HB2384	01/31/2025	Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides for the licensure of consolidated transport centers. Specifies requirements for consolidated transport centers, including operating documents, security plans, facility requirements, plant monitoring, prohibitions on ownership, and prohibitions on offering things of value to certain persons and licensees. Provides that cannabis business entities shall adhere to the traceability and consumer protection guidelines established by the Department of Agriculture when utilizing the cannabis plant monitoring system or cannabis transport GPS tracking system. Provides that entities awarded a transporting license may defer paying the associated license fee for a period of no more than 3 years. Provides that all products received and shipped to and from a consolidated transport center shall be tracked within the cannabis plant monitoring system. Provides that a craft grower or infuser may enter into a contract with a transporting organization to transport cannabis to a consolidated transport center or a different transporting organization at the consolidated transport center. Provides that no person, cannabis business establishment, or entity other than a licensed transportation organization shall transport cannabis or cannabis-infused products on behalf of a cannabis business establishment to or from a consolidated transport center, unless otherwise authorized by rule. Makes other changes. Authorizes emergency rulemaking. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.
HB1864	01/29/2025	Amends the Uniform Electronic Transactions in Dental Care Billing Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028 (instead of 2026), no dental plan carrier is required to accept from a dental care provider eligibility for a dental plan transaction or dental care claims or equivalent encounter information transaction. Sets forth exemptions from the requirements of the Act, and requires a dental care provider who is exempt from the requirements of the Act to file a form with the Department of Insurance indicating the applicable exemption. Requires each dental plan carrier to establish a portal that provides certain benefit and billing information. Requires a dental plan carrier to establish an electronic portal that allows dental care providers to submit claims electronically and directly to the dental care provider; accept attachments in an electronic format with the initial electronic claim's submission; and provide remittance advice with the corresponding payment. Provides that nothing in the Act requires a dental care provider to only accept electronic payment from a dental plan carrier. Provides that dental plan carriers shall allow alternative forms of payment, without additional fees or charges, to a dental care provider, if requested. Effective immediately.
HB1812	01/28/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in making a decision upon a complaint filed by a complainant's agent, the board of review shall be limited to the evidence presented by the complainant or the complainant's agent, the county assessor, and a taxing district, and each complaint shall be limited to the grounds listed in the petition, the supporting documents filed with the board, and the rebuttal evidence filed with the board. Provides that no assessment may be revised and corrected until the complainant or the complainant's agent has been given a period of 30 days to review and rebut a decision of the board. Provides that an oral hearing shall be granted on request of any complainant or any complainant's agent. Provides that, when a board of review decision is made on a complaint, the board shall transmit a computer printout of the results, or make and sign a brief written statement of the decision (currently, a brief written statement of the reason for the change and the manner in which the method used by the assessor in making the assessment was erroneous).
HB1813	01/28/2025	Amends the Control Over Building and Construction Article of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality may not prohibit the building or usage of accessory dwelling units in the municipality. Provides that a municipality may provide reasonable regulations relating to the size and location of accessory dwelling units similar to other accessory structures unless a regulation would have the effect of prohibiting accessory dwelling units. Limits home rule powers. Defines terms.
HB1814	01/28/2025	Amends the Zoning Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, for all new development after January 1, 2026, each city with a population of 25,000 or more shall allow the development of all middle housing types on lots or parcels with a total area greater than 5,000 square feet and that are zoned for any type of residential use. Provides that each city with a population of more than 10,000 and less than 25,000 shall allow the development of a duplex on each lot or parcel zoned for residential use that allows for the development of detached single-family dwellings. Provides that municipalities may regulate siting and design of middle housing provided that the regulations do not, individually or cumulatively, discourage the development of all middle housing types permitted in the area through unreasonable costs or delay. Provides that municipalities may regulate middle housing to comply with protective measures adopted under statewide land use planning goals. Limits home rule powers.
HB1625	01/23/2025	Creates the Ground-Based Sparkler Purchaser Excise Tax Act. Imposes a tax, beginning July 1, 2026, upon purchasers for the privilege of using ground-based sparklers and not for the purpose of resale at the rate of 3% of the purchase price of ground-based sparklers. Prohibits certain retail combinations or bundles. Requires every retailer required to collect the tax to apply to the Department of Revenue for a certificate of registration. Provides that any retailer required to collect the tax shall be liable to the Department for the tax, whether the tax has been collected, and any such tax shall constitute a debt to the State. Provides for the making of returns. Provides that from the revenue collected, the Department shall pay 25% into the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund, 25% into the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, and 50% into the General Revenue Fund. Provides for recordkeeping requirements. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department shall have full power to administer and enforce the Act. Allows for the arrest of any person who violates the Act, the search of any place of business to inspect all ground-based sparklers, and the seizure of any ground based-sparklers without a warrant. Sets forth hearing requirements after seizure. Allows the Department to adopt rules. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Allows a municipality to prohibit the sale and use of ground-based sparklers on public property. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Amends the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB1505	01/21/2025	Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that the Illinois Racing Board may appoint the Director of Mutuels to serve as the State director for inter-track wagering and simulcast wagering by inter-track wagering licensees and inter-track wagering location licensees. Provides that the pari-mutuel tax imposed at all pari-mutuel wagering facilities and on advance deposit wagering shall be remitted to the Board (rather than the Department of Revenue). Provides that the Board shall distribute contributed funds to a charitable organization on a schedule determined by the Board, based on the charitable organization's estimated expenditures related to the grant (rather than by December 31 of each year). Provides that any funds not expended by the grantee in a grant year shall be distributed to the charitable organization or charitable organizations selected in the next grant year after the funds are recovered. Repeals provisions authorizing the Board to make daily temporary deposits of certain fees and provisions requiring the Board and the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to conduct drug testing on horses at county fairs. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
HB1377	01/15/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning appraisals, provides that the appraisals submitted by the owner and occupant of the property must be prepared for ad valorem purposes, must estimate the value of the property as of January 1 of the assessment year at issue, and must comply with all rules of the chief county assessment officer or the board of review concerning the submission of appraisals. Provides that, if the chief county assessment officer renders a decision lowering the assessed valuation of the property, the county shall reimburse the property owner for the cost of the appraisal.
HB1378	01/15/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a claim for a refund resulting from certain orders of the circuit court or from a certificate of error shall not be allowed unless the claim is filed within 20 years from the date the right to a refund arose. Effective immediately.
HB1389	01/15/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Expands the provisions regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones to include municipalities in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will (instead of just the City of Chicago). Provides that the net proceeds a municipality receives from civil penalties imposed under an automated speed enforcement system shall be expended or obligated by the municipality for, among other purposes, the remission of $5 from each civil penalty to the State Treasurer for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, which shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as determined by the State Treasurer. Provides that if an automated speed enforcement system is removed or rendered inoperable due to construction, then the Department of Transportation shall authorize the reinstallation or use of the automated speed enforcement system within 30 days after the construction is complete.