Telecommunications Wire Theft Law - HB4943

Illinois Legislative Events

Published February 4th, 2026

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

Illinois HB4943 passed the House on February 4, 2026, amending the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law to create new violations for unauthorized possession, purchase, or sale of telecommunications wire. The bill restricts recyclable metal dealers from acquiring telecom wire except from authorized utility agents, licensed contractors, or registered service providers. A new Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force will be established to review enforcement effectiveness and recommend additional legislative and enforcement solutions.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

HB4943 creates new violations under the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law for any person to possess, purchase, sell, or attempt to sell telecommunications wire without proper authorization. The bill narrows the pool of legitimate sellers to authorized agents, representatives, or employees of licensed public utility contractors, registered telecommunications providers, broadband services, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services as described in the Public Utilities Act. The bill also establishes a Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force including a wireless telecommunications carrier representative to assess enforcement effectiveness and develop long-term solutions for wire theft.

Recyclable metal dealers must immediately update purchasing protocols to verify seller authorization status before acquiring any telecommunications wire. Telecommunications companies, broadband providers, VoIP services, and wireless carriers should document and train personnel on proper sales procedures to ensure compliance. The task force's annual reports to the General Assembly and Governor may drive further legislative or enforcement measures to address the ongoing problem of telecommunications wire theft statewide.

What to do next

Telecommunications providers and contractors should ensure authorized agents understand documentation requirements when selling recyclable telecommunications wire
Recyclable metal dealers must implement verification procedures to confirm sellers are authorized agents, representatives, or employees of utilities, licensed contractors, or registered service providers before purchasing telecommunications wire
Monitor Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force reports due annually by October 31 for additional compliance requirements

Penalties

Violations of the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law may result in penalties as established under the Act; specific fine amounts not stated in this bill.

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Illinois / HB4943 Passed HB4943 House Bill Passed 2026-02-04

TELECOMMUNICATIONS THEFT

Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amount unless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of a licensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider of broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specific to telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used to provide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of theft of these wires and equipment in this State. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of one representative of a wireless telecommunications carrier. Provides that the Task Force shall, by October 31 of each year, report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes the definition of the term "recyclable metal". Defines the terms "burned wire" and "telecommunications wire".

Bill Details

State Illinois

Session 104th General Assembly

Chamber House

Official Source www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum...

LegiScan View on LegiScan

Action History

2026-04-07 H House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 015-000-000 2026-03-26 H House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee 2026-03-25 H House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee 2026-03-25 H House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman 2026-03-25 H Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-24 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams 2026-03-24 H House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled 2026-03-24 H Do Pass / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee; 017-000-000 2026-03-20 H House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee 2026-03-18 H House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 2026-03-18 H House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman 2026-03-18 H Assigned to Public Utilities Committee 2026-02-06 H Referred to Rules Committee 2026-02-06 H First Reading 2026-02-04 H Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman

Committee Referrals

2026-02-06 H Rules 2026-03-18 H Public Utilities 2026-03-18 H Rules 2026-03-20 H Public Utilities 2026-03-25 H Rules 2026-03-26 H Public Utilities

Amendments

2026-03-18 House Amendment 001 2026-03-25 House Amendment 002

Bill Text Versions

2026-02-04 Introduced Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)

Named provisions

Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law amendments Telecommunications wire restrictions Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force establishment Definition of recyclable metal, burned wire, and telecommunications wire