Illinois Senate Bill SB1534

Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

COUNTY/MUNI-NATURAL GAS

Summary

SB1534 would amend the Illinois Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code to restrict local governments from banning natural gas in new residential or other new construction unless the restriction is approved by referendum. The bill applies to both counties and municipalities and is framed as a limitation on home rule authority, meaning local governments could not adopt ordinances that directly or indirectly prohibit natural gas use in new construction unless voters first approve that policy. In practical terms, the bill would preempt local climate, building-code, or electrification ordinances that seek to phase out gas hookups in new buildings. It would preserve the ability of counties and municipalities to regulate natural gas only so long as those regulations do not prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, its use in new construction. The bill therefore shifts decision-making power from local governing bodies to local voters when a community wants to restrict natural gas in new development.

Impact

The bill would create new statutory sections in the Counties Code and Municipal Code and would expressly limit the concurrent exercise of home rule powers under the Illinois Constitution. As a result, counties and municipalities would be barred from adopting natural-gas prohibition measures for new construction unless those measures are first approved by referendum. This would likely affect local building standards, energy policy, and development regulations in jurisdictions considering electrification mandates or gas-ban ordinances.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be presented as a pro-natural-gas, local-control-through-referendum measure. Its framing suggests support for preserving consumer and builder choice in new construction and for preventing local governments from unilaterally eliminating natural gas. No contrary sentiment is documented in the available record, but the subject matter is typically associated with broader debates over energy policy, housing costs, and local climate regulation.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the balance between local authority and state preemption. Supporters would favor the bill as a check on municipal and county bans on natural gas, while opponents may view it as restricting local governments’ ability to pursue electrification, emissions reduction, and building decarbonization goals. Another likely dispute is whether requiring a referendum is an appropriate safeguard or an unnecessary hurdle that could block local policy responses to climate and infrastructure concerns.