Yang Rohr supports HB5524 to improve transparency of electric utility charges

Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-41st) cast a Yes vote on HB5524, legislation calling for public transparency of electric utility bill charges, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026. The Illinois House reported the bill passed unanimously, 117-0.

According to the bill's official text, it focuses on "UTILITY CHARGE TRANSPARENCY."

The overview below summarizes and interprets the bill's text for clarity regarding its requirements.

Under this measure, starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Illinois Commerce Commission must maintain a public website listing every charge on electric utility bills, excluding delivery or supply charges, that are required by law or approved by the commission. For state-remitted charges, the website must display the relevant legal authority, annual collection amounts, state fund use, and detailed accounting of expenditures. For utility-retained charges, it must show legal authority, purpose, annual amounts collected, comprehensive expenditure details, and links between expenditures and their approved purpose.

The official action for HB5524 was 'Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 House Concurs.'

Rohr earned a BA from Northwestern University in 2002 and later graduated from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2010.

A member of the Democratic Party, Rohr began her term in the Illinois State House in 2021, representing the 41st House District after succeeding Grant Wehrli.

Legislation in Illinois follows a multi-stage legislative process, starting with introduction in either the House or Senate, moving through committee evaluation, floor debate, and votes in both chambers, before advancing to the governor for final approval or veto. The General Assembly convenes on a biennial basis, and although many bills are introduced each session, only a small portion ultimately become law after completing all procedural steps.