Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB4943: TELECOMMUNICATIONS THEFT
Status: Signed into law, July 31, 2026
Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amount unless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of a licensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider of broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specific to telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used to provide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of theft of these wires and equipment in this State. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of one representative of a wireless telecommunications carrier. Provides that the Task Force shall, by October 31 of each year, report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes the definition of the term "recyclable metal". Defines the terms "burned wire" and "telecommunications wire".
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4943Introduced , by Rep. Jay HoffmanSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 325/2from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322815 ILCS 325/4.1815 ILCS 325/6.5 815 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322 815 ILCS 325/4.1 815 ILCS 325/6.5 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. ILCS 325/4.1 ILCS 325/6.5 Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law…
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4943Introduced , by Rep. Jay HoffmanSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 325/2from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322815 ILCS 325/4.1815 ILCS 325/6.5 815 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322 815 ILCS 325/4.1 815 ILCS 325/6.5 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. ILCS 325/4.1 ILCS 325/6.5 Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides thatit is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attemptto purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealerto purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amountunless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of alicensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunicationsservices, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider ofbroadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, asdescribed in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable MetalTheft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts indeterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specificto telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used toprovide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the PublicUtilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, orwireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides thatthe Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, bothlegislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising …
Sponsors
- Jay Hoffman (D, 113) · primary sponsor
- Michael Coffey (R, 95)
- Brad Stephens (R, 20)
- Nicole La Ha (R, 82)
- Patrick Sheehan (R, 37)
- Jawaharial Williams (D, 10)
- Kyle Moore (R, 99)
- Dan Ugaste (R, 65)
- Jason R. Bunting (R, 106)
- Matt Hanson (D, 83)
- Dave Vella (D, 68)
- Norine K. Hammond (R, 94)
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0689
- : Effective Date January 1, 2027
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Passed Both Houses
- : Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000
- : Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 20, 2026
- : Second Reading
Votes
- Third Reading - Passed (May 21, 2026): 58 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Criminal Law (May 13, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (April 9, 2026): 98 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee (April 7, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee (March 24, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 815 - Business Transactions
Common questions
- What is HB4943?
- HB4943 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): TELECOMMUNICATIONS THEFT.
- What does HB4943 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4943Introduced , by Rep. Jay HoffmanSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 325/2from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322815 ILCS 325/4.1815 ILCS 325/6.5 815 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322 815 ILCS 325/4.1 815 ILCS 325/6.5 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. ILCS 325/4.1 ILCS 325/6.5 Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law…
- What is the status of HB4943?
- Signed into law as of July 31, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0689 (July 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB4943?
- Jay Hoffman (D, 113), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB4943?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4943&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.