Deuter supports HB5524 for electric bill charge transparency in Illinois

Rep. Martha Deuter (D-45th) cast a Yes vote for HB5524 during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, legislation requiring disclosure of electric utility bill charges in Illinois, according to the Illinois House; the measure passed in a unanimous 117-0 vote.

The official summary for the bill is: "UTILITY CHARGE TRANSPARENCY."

This overview is developed from the full bill text and clarifies key elements of the measure.

Fundamentally, the legislation directs the Illinois Commerce Commission, effective Jan. 1, 2027, to operate a public website listing all legal or commission-approved charges on electric utility bills excluding delivery and supply charges. The site must specify, for charges remitted to the state, the authorizing law, total annual collections, the method of allocation by the state, and a detailed expenditures record. For any charges utilities retain, the website should detail the requisite legal authority, intended objective, total amounts collected yearly, a breakdown of expenditures, and an explanation of how the spending supports approved purposes.

The recorded legislative step for HB5524 was 'Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 House Concurs'.

Deuter holds a BSW from Ohio University, awarded in 1995.

Elected in 2025, Deuter, a Democrat, took office in the Illinois State House representing the 45th District, following representative Jenn Ladisch Douglass.

In Illinois, the legislative process for bills involves multiple steps, including committee consideration, floor discussion and votes in each chamber, with measures requiring approval from both the House and Senate before heading to the governor for potential signing or veto. The General Assembly meets every two years, with thousands of bills introduced but only a portion advancing to become law.