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HB 3061

Relating to consideration of criminal convictions in school settings.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Gorsek and 1 co-sponsor

HB 3061 lets Illinois counties/municipalities license on-premises cannabis consumption at events and hospitality venues, with local rules, ventilation, and 500-foot school buffers.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3061

HB 3061 — On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act (Cannabis Hospitality)

Purpose

HB 3061 creates a regulatory framework authorizing counties and municipalities in Illinois to license on‑premise cannabis consumption at (1) temporary events and (2) dedicated cannabis hospitality venues (e.g., restaurants, bars, or other businesses that allow communal cannabis consumption). The bill establishes minimum ordinance requirements local governments must adopt before issuing licenses, places limits on some local restrictions (including certain home‑rule limits), and makes conforming changes to the Smoke Free Illinois Act. If enacted, the Act is effective immediately.

Key provisions and requirements

  • Definitions: Adopts terms consistent with the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (e.g., “cannabis,” “cannabis business establishment,” “cannabis‑infused product,” “cannabis paraphernalia,” “governmental unit” = county or municipality).
  • Temporary event permits:
    • Any temporary event permitting on‑site cannabis/cannabis‑infused product consumption must hold a temporary event permit from the governmental unit.
    • Before issuing permits, the governmental unit must adopt an ordinance specifying application contents (including fees), maximum permit term, and required plans showing date/time, ventilation for indoor consumption, visual screening for outdoor consumption, and measures to prevent unauthorized entry to the consumption space.
    • Premises for temporary events cannot be within 500 feet of a primary or secondary school.
    • Permit fees must be reasonably related to inspection and regulation costs.
    • Governmental units cannot adopt rules that (a) prevent permit holders from allowing attendees to bring their own cannabis/paraphernalia, (b) prohibit food/non‑alcoholic beverage preparation and sale at venues already licensed for such sales, or (c) impose public‑health or safety standards intended only to deter events.
  • Cannabis hospitality venue licenses:
    • Operators must obtain a local cannabis hospitality venue license for premises permitting on‑site consumption.
    • Premises may not be within 500 feet of any public or private elementary or secondary school.
    • Local ordinance must require annual license renewal; set application/licensing/renewal fees; limit consumption to designated areas; require ventilation systems that exhaust smoke/aerosols/vapors for indoor consumption areas and meet building code standards; require outdoor consumption areas to be enclosed with sight‑obscuring barriers and not be located closer than 15 feet to venue entrances/exits (and not obstruct public ways).
    • Requirement for a designated smoke‑free area to protect employees, plans to prevent underage access, and that licensees meeting Social Equity Applicant status receive licensing cost refunds.
    • Local governments are restricted from adopting rules that unreasonably prohibit patrons bringing their own cannabis (text truncated but mirrors temporary event limitations).

Who would be affected

  • Local governments (counties and municipalities): must adopt ordinances with specified standards before issuing licenses; limited in certain regulatory choices.
  • Businesses: restaurants, bars, event promoters, and new cannabis hospitality venues seeking to host consumption events or offer on‑site consumption.
  • Cannabis industry: retail producers and paraphernalia sellers (expanded points of sale at on‑site events/venues).
  • Employees and patrons: exposure and workplace protections addressed via ventilation and designated smoke‑free areas.
  • Schools and neighborhoods: 500‑foot school buffers and physical screening requirements affect site selection and neighborhood impact.

Procedural status (selected)

  • Filed/Introduced: Early February 2025 (Rep. Sonya M. Harper primary sponsor).
  • Committee referral: Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence (Mar 20, 2025), subcommittee activity in April 2025.
  • Reported favorably without amendment: May 1, 2025.
  • Committee report sent to Calendars: May 8, 2025.
  • Co‑sponsors added March 2025 (incl. Kelly Cassidy, Lilian Jiménez, Theresa Mah, Lindsey LaPointe).

Potential implications / considerations

  • Establishes standardized local licensing route for public consumption, likely expanding hospitality options and regulated consumption spaces.
  • Introduces public‑health safeguards (ventilation, designated smoke‑free areas) but also limits some local discretion—may raise home‑rule and zoning debates.
  • School buffers and outdoor/ventilation requirements will shape where venues can operate; social equity refund could lower barriers for eligible applicants.

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

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