Hirschauer votes Yes on HB5524 for increased transparency in electric utility billing

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-49th) cast a Yes vote on HB5524 during the 104th General Assembly’s May 31, 2026 session, the Illinois House record shows; the measure secured passage with a 117-0 vote.

The bill’s official text defines the legislation as: "UTILITY CHARGE TRANSPARENCY."

Below is our summary based on the bill’s text, incorporating clarification for the provisions included.

The legislation, starting Jan. 1, 2027, directs the Illinois Commerce Commission to provide a public webpage presenting all electric utility bill charges other than delivery or supply costs that are legally required or approved by the agency. The webpage must detail, for state-remitted charges, the underlying law, annual totals collected, the state’s use of funds, and an itemized expenditure breakdown. For any charges utilities retain, the law, purpose, total annual amounts, a detailed expense list and how each expense supports its purpose must be disclosed.

For HB5524, the recorded legislative action was 'Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 House Concurs'.

Hirschauer earned a BA from Colby College.

A member of the Democratic Party, Hirschauer joined the Illinois State House in 2021 representing the 49th District, filling the seat previously held by Karina Villa.

In Illinois, legislation progresses through a step-by-step legislative path that involves introduction, committee consideration, debates, and final votes in both House and Senate before a bill moves to the governor. Every biennium, thousands of bills are filed in the General Assembly, with only some ultimately advancing to become law.