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HB 3670

Relating to high-value farmland.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Darcey Edwards

HB 3670 requires large pharmacy chains to give 180 days’ notice, hold public meetings, present a community transition plan, review by state agencies, and repay public benefits if c

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3670

Summary — HB 3670 (Pharmacy Accountability and Access Act)

Status: In committee upon adjournment (last action: 2025-06-28)
Introduced: Feb 18, 2025 (Filed Mar 4, 2025) by Rep. Kam Buckner. Co‑sponsor added: Rep. Lisa Davis. Assigned to multiple committees; currently in committee upon adjournment.

Purpose / Intent

HB 3670, the "Pharmacy Accountability and Access Act," aims to increase transparency and community oversight when large pharmacy operators close retail pharmacy locations. The bill seeks to protect access to medications and basic pharmacy services — particularly in medically underserved communities — by requiring advance notice, public meetings, community transition plans, agency review, and repayment of public benefits in some cases.

Who is covered

The requirements apply only to pharmacy companies that meet either of these thresholds:
- Operate more than 10 locations in Illinois; or
- Have annual gross revenues of $50,000,000 or more.

Independent or smaller chains below those thresholds are not covered.

Key provisions

  • Advance notice: Owners of licensed pharmacies must provide written notice at least 180 calendar days before any closure.

    • Notices must be sent to specified state agencies (Department of Public Health and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation are named in the bill), the municipality, the county, and community leaders who request notice.
    • Notices must be physically posted at the location and prominently posted on the company website for the entire 180‑day period.

  • Reporting requirement: Before closing, corporations must submit a report to state agencies detailing justification for the closure, including documentation of financial losses, operational inefficiencies, or how the closure aligns with corporate social responsibility commitments.

  • Public meetings: During the 180‑day notice period, the company must hold at least two community public meetings:

    • Held in‑person at an accessible venue, scheduled evenings/weekends, with a virtual participation option.
    • Company must present reasons and data, a community transition plan, and post‑closure access options.
    • Meetings must include time for Q&A and be attended/moderated by representatives of the Department of Public Health or local officials.
    • Company must submit summaries of community feedback and any adjustments to the transition plan to state agencies.

  • Community transition plan: Must describe options to ensure continued access to medications and services (e.g., nearby pharmacies, transportation support, partnerships with local providers), and options to repurpose the physical space for health‑related uses (telehealth kiosks, prescription lockers).

    • The Department of Public Health will review submitted plans, issue a report on access and economic impacts, propose mitigation strategies, and post responses publicly.

  • Special review for medically underserved areas: The Department must review closures in medically underserved communities and confirm that suitable alternative options for access exist (definition in the bill is truncated in the provided text).

  • Repayment of public benefits: If a company received tax incentives, subsidies, or other public financial benefits and fails to meet the Act’s requirements, it must repay an amount equal to the total benefits received.

  • Penalties: The bill states penalties will be imposed for noncompliance; the provided text does not specify amounts or enforcement mechanisms.

Potential impacts

  • Increased transparency and community engagement before closures, potentially reducing sudden loss of local pharmacy access.
  • Additional compliance costs and administrative burdens for large pharmacy chains.
  • Greater protection for residents in medically underserved areas, but the effectiveness will depend on enforcement details and the final definition of “medically underserved.”
  • Threat of repayment of public incentives could influence corporate decisions about closures or site investments.

Notes / Missing details

  • The provided version truncates the full statutory definition of “medically underserved community” and does not specify the exact penalty structure or enforcement procedures.
  • Implementation will rely heavily on state agency capacity (Department of Public Health and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) to review plans and enforce repayment/penalties.

If you want, I can prepare a short comparison showing how HB 3670 differs from current Illinois law governing pharmacy licensure and closures, or draft an impact checklist for communities that may be affected.

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

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