Sen. Seth Lewis supports SB3321 to permit local governments to utilize third-party payment processors

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-24th) supported SB3321, legislation enabling local governments to engage third-party payment processors, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026; records from the Illinois Senate show the bill passed unanimously, 57-0.

The bill summary reads: "LOC GOV-CREDIT CARD AGREEMENTS."

The explanations below reflect the official bill language and additional clarifications of its provisions.

SB3321 updates the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act to authorize local governmental bodies accepting credit cards to partner with third-party software providers to secure correct remittance for each transaction. It also stipulates that contractual agreements with financial institutions or other payment service providers may not prohibit the use of the payment processing system under the State Treasurer Act or any system independently obtained by the entity. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The legislative action noted for SB3321 was 'House Floor Amendment No. 2 Senate Concurs'.

Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa in 1991.

Lewis, a Republican, joined the Illinois State Senate representing the 24th District after his 2023 election, succeeding prior state senator Suzy Glowiak.

Illinois bills advance through a multi-step legislative process beginning with introduction in the House or Senate, committee consideration, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for potential approval or veto. Operating on a biennial cycle, the General Assembly typically sees thousands of measures introduced each session, with only a minority eventually enacted as law.