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HB 3543

Relating to aquatic invasive species; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Helm and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a temporary Cost of Living Task Force to study drivers of rising costs and identify actions to reduce cost burdens and improve affordability in Illinois.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3543

Summary — HB 3543 (104th General Assembly, 2025-2026)

Bill number: HB 3543
Short title: Cost of Living Task Force Act (as drafted)
Introduced by: Rep. Regan Deering
Introduced: February 2025 (bill text shows 2/18/2025 and filing dates in Feb. 2025)
Status: In committee upon adjournment (06/28/2025)

Note: the bill metadata in the request included an unrelated title (“Relating to aquatic invasive species; declaring an emergency.”). The statutory text of HB 3543 creates a Cost of Living Task Force — this summary describes the Task Force legislation contained in the introduced version.

Purpose and intent

HB 3543 creates a temporary, cross‑sector Cost of Living Task Force to analyze drivers of rising costs for Illinois residents and identify legislative, regulatory, fiscal, and private‑sector actions to reduce cost burdens and improve business affordability in the State.

Key provisions

  • Creates the Cost of Living Task Force with a mandate to study factors that increase costs of living, including unemployment, groceries, consumer prices, housing, health care, utilities, transportation, and taxes.
  • Required activities include:
    • Comparing Illinois cost‑of‑living metrics to federal data and peer states (especially Midwest states).
    • Identifying State programs that could be expanded or reformed to reduce costs.
    • Consulting state and federal policy experts.
    • Using data from relevant sources (e.g., State forecasting/analysis bodies, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
  • Membership (appointments by legislative leaders and stakeholder organizations): includes legislative appointees (House and Senate leaders), one appointee each from business/association groups (e.g., Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturing Association, municipal and county associations), and the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) or designee. (The introduced text is partially fragmented; membership is primarily a mix of legislative appointees and specified public/private stakeholders.)
  • Administration: Task Force elects a chair from its members; DCEO provides technical support and is responsible for implementing the Act’s provisions.
  • Compensation and meetings: Members receive no compensation; the Task Force must meet at least quarterly beginning as soon as practicable after the Act takes effect.
  • Reporting and sunset: A final report to the Governor and General Assembly is required no later than November 1, 2028, covering legislative reforms, private‑sector incentives, regulatory reforms, new funding avenues, tax reduction options, and barriers to business affordability. The Task Force dissolves upon filing the report.

Who is affected

  • State executive agencies (DCEO) will support and implement the Task Force’s work.
  • Legislative leadership and appointees participate.
  • Business and local government associations designated for appointment will be directly involved.
  • Recommendations could affect taxpayers, residents, businesses, and State programs depending on subsequent legislative or administrative action.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Filed and first readings occurred in February–March 2025; referred to multiple committees (including Culture, Recreation & Tourism; Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water; Ways & Means; Rules).
  • As of 2025-06-28 the bill was in committee upon adjournment.
  • Final report due by November 1, 2028; Task Force dissolves after report submission.

If you’d like, I can (1) extract a cleaned membership list based on the most likely intended appointments, (2) draft potential legislative questions for committee review, or (3) prepare a short briefing memo on likely policy areas the Task Force would evaluate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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