All Roll Calls
Yes: 362 • No: 0
IllinoisSB2503104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
ROOFING LICENSING SUNSET
Sponsored By: Suzy Glowiak Hilton (Democratic)
Became Law
assignmentslicensed activitieslabor & commerce
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
New rules for geologist licenses
You must hold a license to call yourself a “Licensed Professional Geologist” or offer geology services. To get licensed, you need an accredited degree with at least 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) in geology, including 24 semester hours (or 36 quarter hours) of upper‑level courses, 4 years of post‑education professional experience, and passing both exam parts. The exam has two parts (theory and practice). You must pass within 6 years of filing. You pay exam fees and forfeit the fee if you skip a scheduled exam. You pay a nonrefundable application fee and have 3 years from when the Department gets your application to finish the process. Graduates and qualified students may take one or both exam parts early if the Department sets an intern process. You must give a current address and email and update changes within 14 days. The Department runs exams, issues licenses, and keeps public rosters of licensees and disciplined people.
New roofing licenses and qualifying parties
You must hold a state roofing license to offer or do roofing or waterproofing in Illinois. Each licensed business must name a qualifying party who passes a state exam (limited tests residential; unlimited tests residential, commercial, and industrial). You must show liability/property insurance, workers' comp or self‑insured status, a current unemployment insurance account, and a continuous bond of $10,000 (limited) or $25,000 (unlimited). Update your address and email of record within 14 days. If a qualifying party leaves, you must notify the Department within 30 business days, name a new one within 60 days, and the new person must pass the exam within 7 months, or your license becomes inoperative. The Department sets renewal rules; you may elect inactive status and not practice. Active‑duty or training service can qualify for fee restoration if you apply within 2 years after service ends. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must surrender it right away.
Tougher roofing enforcement and penalties
The Department can discipline roofing licensees and qualifying parties and fine up to $10,000 for each violation. Practicing or advertising without a valid license can bring a civil penalty up to $10,000 per offense after a hearing. Criminal penalties apply: a first offense is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500; later offenses are Class 4 felonies with $25,000 fines. Each day counts as a separate offense. The Department runs the program, can subpoena records and witnesses, and sets rules. When it reviews convictions, it must consider mitigating factors and publish annual data starting January 31, 2027.
Stronger roofing contracts and vehicle markings
Before work starts, your contractor must give a written, signed contract with a land phone number, street address (no PO box), email, scope, dates, costs, and any insurer info. You can cancel within 72 hours and get a full refund of any deposit. The contract must say in bold that payments are held in trust until materials arrive or most work is done. Contractors cannot pay or promise to pay your insurance deductible. Contractors must keep a signed copy for state inspection. All commercial vehicles used for roofing work must show the roofing license number and name; missing labels can bring $250–$1,000 fines, but cases are dismissed if fixed before the hearing.
Geologist discipline, hearings, and penalties
The Department can investigate, and before suspending or revoking a geology license it gives at least 30 days’ notice. You must file a sworn answer within 20 days. Fines can reach $10,000 per violation, and you must surrender a suspended or revoked license. Records from investigations stay confidential until formal charges. Practicing without a valid license is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for later offenses; each day is a separate offense. Hearings can be run by appointed hearing officers, the Board issues recommendations within 60 days, and the Secretary can order a rehearing. Final decisions can be reviewed in circuit court, and courts can issue injunctions or cease‑and‑desist orders.
Geologist licensing, renewals, and exemptions
You can reinstate an expired geology license within 5 years by applying and paying fees; service members can restore within 2 years after service without lapsed fees. You may place a license on inactive status and skip renewal fees while you do not practice. Illinois may license you by endorsement if you already hold a similar U.S. license and finish the process within 3 years. Original applications must list a Social Security Number or ITIN. If your education is from abroad, you may have to pay for a Department‑approved evaluation. A $50 fee applies to any payment that bounces; pay by certified funds within 30 days or the license or application is terminated. Some work is exempt from licensure, like supervised employee work, federal work, research or teaching, and supervised student practice up to 9 months.
Licensing sunsets for roofing, geology
On January 1, 2026, the state repeals the roofing licensing law. On January 1, 2031, the law repeals listed licensing laws, including the Professional Geologist Licensing Act. These repeals can lower compliance costs for firms, but also end the licensing framework and consumer protections those laws provided.
New boards for roofing and geology
The law creates a Roofing Advisory Board inside the Department. It must reflect statewide diversity, meets at least once a year, and five members make a quorum. The Board can recommend credentialed qualifying parties to help with investigations, and members may be repaid for approved costs. For geology, an eight‑member board advises on exams, rules, ethics, and continuing education. Licensed geologists with at least 10 years’ experience and one public member serve four‑year terms with limits.
Roofing qualifier must be an employee
Each roofing business’s qualifying party must be a W‑2 employee. The employer must withhold payroll taxes, provide workers’ compensation, and supervise the qualifier. The qualifier cannot be paid on a 1099 by that roofing business.
Local permits and who needs licenses
Local governments keep control of permits, inspections, and local fees. A seller does not need a roofing license if a licensed contractor’s people do the actual work. Homeowners may work on their own property for no pay, and employees working for an employer do not need a separate license. Permit officials must check a contractor’s state roofing license before issuing a permit. If a qualifying party dies or a company dissolves mid‑job, another person may finish the contract if the Department is told within 30 days.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Suzy Glowiak Hilton
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Anthony DeLuca
Democratic • House
Harry Benton
Democratic • House
Kimberly A. Lightford
Democratic • Senate
Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/31/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Senate Concurs
Yes: 57 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/31/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Senate Concurs
Yes: 57 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 5/23/2025
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 106 • No: 0
House vote • 5/23/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee;
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 5/21/2025
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Labor & Commerce Committee;
Yes: 27 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Pass / Short Debate Labor & Commerce Committee;
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 56 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities;
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0427
8/15/2025SenateEffective Date August 15, 2025
8/15/2025SenateGovernor Approved
8/15/2025SenateSent to the Governor
6/27/2025SenatePassed Both Houses
5/31/2025SenateSenate Concurs
5/31/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Senate Concurs 057-000-000
5/31/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Senate Concurs 057-000-000
5/31/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 008-000-000
5/29/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 008-000-000
5/29/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Licensed Activities
5/27/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Licensed Activities
5/27/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
5/27/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
5/27/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
5/27/2025SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
5/27/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 2, 3 - May 27, 2025
5/26/2025SenateSecretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 2, 3
5/26/2025SenateAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton
5/23/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled
5/23/2025HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 106-000-000
5/23/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/23/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
5/23/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
5/23/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 005-000-000
5/23/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Amendment 1
House Amendment 2
House Amendment 3
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1
Senate Amendment 2
Senate Amendment 3