Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB5541: FOOD WASTE&COMPOSTING
Status: Signed into law, July 31, 2026
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Repeals the definition of "food scrap"; adds definitions for "anaerobic digestion", "biogas", "digestate", "food waste", "organic material", and "organic waste"; and updates the definitions of "compost" and "composting". In provisions regarding pollution control facilities, includes a new exemption for portions of sites or facilities used for composting or anaerobic digestion of organic waste that meet specified siting, setback, floodplain, and operational requirements. In provisions regarding prohibited acts, establishes permitting requirements for organic waste composting operations and organic waste anaerobic digesters, and creates exemptions for small-scale and certain farm-based composting operations that meet volume limits, setback distances, and other environmental safeguards. Provides that anaerobic digesters using only non-waste feedstock are exempt from solid waste permitting and clarifies that digested material returned to the economic mainstream is not regulated as waste. Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to recommend, and the Pollution Control Board to adopt, performance standards for organic waste compost facilities and testing procedures for end-product compost, and requires a Technical Advisory Committee with balanced stakeholder representation. Specifies that standards apply to compost offered for sale or use and exempts on-site residential composting. Makes conforming changes throughout to integrate new definitions and regulatory requirements.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5541Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Anna MoellerSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/3.123 new415 ILCS 5/3.126 new415 ILCS 5/3.150was 415 ILCS 5/3.69415 ILCS 5/3.155was 415 ILCS 5/3.70415 ILCS 5/3.182 new415 ILCS 5/3.198 new415 ILCS 5/3.308 new415 ILCS 5/3.309 new415 ILCS 5/3.330was 415 ILCS 5/3.32415 ILCS 5/21from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021415 ILCS 5/22.34415 ILCS 5/3.197 rep…
From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5541Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Anna MoellerSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/3.123 new415 ILCS 5/3.126 new415 ILCS 5/3.150was 415 ILCS 5/3.69415 ILCS 5/3.155was 415 ILCS 5/3.70415 ILCS 5/3.182 new415 ILCS 5/3.198 new415 ILCS 5/3.308 new415 ILCS 5/3.309 new415 ILCS 5/3.330was 415 ILCS 5/3.32415 ILCS 5/21from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021415 ILCS 5/22.34415 ILCS 5/3.197 rep. 415 ILCS 5/3.123 new 415 ILCS 5/3.126 new 415 ILCS 5/3.150 was 415 ILCS 5/3.69 415 ILCS 5/3.155 was 415 ILCS 5/3.70 415 ILCS 5/3.182 new 415 ILCS 5/3.198 new 415 ILCS 5/3.308 new 415 ILCS 5/3.309 new 415 ILCS 5/3.330 was 415 ILCS 5/3.32 415 ILCS 5/21 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021 415 ILCS 5/22.34 415 ILCS 5/3.197 rep. ILCS 5/3.123 new ILCS 5/3.126 new ILCS 5/3.150 was 415 ILCS 5/3.69 ILCS 5/3.155 was 415 ILCS 5/3.70 ILCS 5/3.182 new ILCS 5/3.198 new ILCS 5/3.308 new ILCS 5/3.309 new ILCS 5/3.330 was 415 ILCS 5/3.32 ILCS 5/21 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021 ILCS 5/22.34 ILCS 5/3.197 rep. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Repeals the definition of"food scrap"; adds definitions for "anaerobic digestion", "biogas","digestate", "food waste", "organic material", and "organic waste"; andupdates the definitions of "compost" and "composting". In provisionsregarding pollution control facilities, includes a new exemption forportions of sites or facilities used for …
Sponsors
- Anna Moeller (D, 43) · primary sponsor
- Margaret A. DeLaRosa (D, 42)
- Sonya M. Harper (D, 6)
- Javier L. Cervantes (D, 1)
- Adriane Johnson (D, 30) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0707
- : Effective Date January 1, 2027
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Passed Both Houses
- : Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- : Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
- : Second Reading
Votes
- Third Reading - Passed (May 21, 2026): 59 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Environment and Conservation (April 30, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (April 9, 2026): 103 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee (March 24, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 415 - Environment
Common questions
- What is HB5541?
- HB5541 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): FOOD WASTE&COMPOSTING.
- What does HB5541 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5541Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Anna MoellerSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/3.123 new415 ILCS 5/3.126 new415 ILCS 5/3.150was 415 ILCS 5/3.69415 ILCS 5/3.155was 415 ILCS 5/3.70415 ILCS 5/3.182 new415 ILCS 5/3.198 new415 ILCS 5/3.308 new415 ILCS 5/3.309 new415 ILCS 5/3.330was 415 ILCS 5/3.32415 ILCS 5/21from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021415 ILCS 5/22.34415 ILCS 5/3.197 rep…
- What is the status of HB5541?
- Signed into law as of July 31, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0707 (July 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB5541?
- Anna Moeller (D, 43), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB5541?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=5541&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.