HB2947
View on ILGAGAMING-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE
What this bill does
Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall not require individuals hired exclusively to perform functions that are not related in any way to gaming operations to hold an occupational license. Provides that the Board may issue a non-gaming identification badge upon payment of a non-refundable annual fee set by the Board. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a non-gaming identification badge. Effective immediately.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 237 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
Robert "Bob" Rita
Moderate Influence (#54)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills sponsored by Robert "Bob" Rita advance 1% more often than the chamber average.
Public Engagement
31 witness slips filed
23 proponents / 1 opponents
20 organizations
Witness slips
31 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy Fiocca-Bloom | Illinois Casino Gaming Association ICGA | Illinois Casino Gaming Associaton | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Elene Cafasso | self | self | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Heather Wier Vaught | Government Solutions Group | Ballys | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Jim Long | Illinois Policy | Illinois Policy | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Jim Morphew | Sorling Northrup | Caesars Entertainment | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Jim Riemer | JAR Consulting | Walkers Bluff Casino and Resort | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Russ Ziegler | self | self | Proponent | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Cindy Fiocca-Bloom | Illinois Casino Gaming Association ICGA | ICGA | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Craig Willert | Capitol Consulting Group IL LLC | Illinois Cafe & Service Company | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Jay Keller | J Alexander Hunt Inc. | Penn Entertainment, Inc. | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Jeffrey Glass | Capitol Consulting Group IL LLC | Illinois Cafe & Service Company | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Jim Morphew | Sorling Northrup | Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Alex Sobor | Illinois Gaming Board | Illinois Gaming Board | No Position On Merits | Executive | 2025-05-07 |
| Conor Norris | Knee Regulatory Research Center | Knee Regulatory Research Center | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| David Lockman | Akil Abree Consulting | Akil Abree Consulting | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Dr Cornel Darden Jr | Greater Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce | Greater Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Erica Chiang | Steadfast MPG | Steadfast MPG | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-03-12 |
| Jim Riemer | JAR Consulting | Walkers Bluff Casino and Resort | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-03-19 |
| Alex Sobor | Illinois Gaming Board | Illinois Gaming Board | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-03-19 |
| Cindy Fiocca-Bloom | Illinois Casino Gaming Association ICGA | ICGA | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Damian Wieja | 815 Entertainment LLC DBA Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Self | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Elisha Miller | None | Self | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Geno Iafrate | Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Haiwei Yuan | Hardrock Casino Rockford | Geno | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Jahnae Erpenbach | Golden Nugget Danville | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 | |
| Jim Morphew | Sorling Northrup | Caesars Entertainment | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Miguel Pascual | 815 Entertainment LLC DBA Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 | |
| Roy Bethge | None | Self | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Ryan Stoll | 815 Entertainment, LLC | Proponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 | |
| Marc VanderWeele | Wigglers Bar & Grill | Self | Opponent | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
| Alexandra Sobor | Illinois Gaming Board | Illinois Gamiing Board | No Position On Merits | Gaming | 2025-05-29 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Gaming | 15 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Passed | 15 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 114 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Passed | 114 | — | |
| 2025-05-07 | S | Committee | Executive | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Passed | 10 | — |
| 2025-05-21 | S | Floor | Third Reading | 57 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Passed | 57 | — |
Action History
44 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-15 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0255. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-05
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Robert "Bob" Rita House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-06
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-06
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-25
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Natalie A. Manley Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-03-04
Committee Assignment
Assigned toGaming Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-12
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateGaming Committee; 015-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-03-13
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-03-17
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Robert "Bob" Rita
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-17
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-19
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toGaming Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-19
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedGaming Committee; 017-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-26
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-03-26
Amendment Actions
Positive
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-03-26
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-10
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed114-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-14
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Cristina Castro Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-14
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-14
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-29
Committee Assignment
Assigned toExecutive Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-04-29
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Cristina Castro
[Amendment] Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-04-29
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-05-06
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toExecutive
[Amendment] Senate Assignments Committee forwards the bill to a substantive committee.
2025-05-07
Amendment Actions
Positive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-05-08
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass as AmendedExecutive; 010-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-05-08
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 13, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-05-14
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-05-14
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 15, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-15
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Thaddeus Jones Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-05-21
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;057-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-05-21
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate bill arrives in the House after passing the Senate.
2025-05-21
Concurrence
Mild +
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII
Concurrence vote scheduled on the calendar.
2025-05-21
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed ConcurRep. Robert "Bob" Rita
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-05-21
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Motion filed to agree with the other chamber's amendments.
2025-05-28
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred toGaming Committee
[Amendment] Motion filed to agree with the other chamber's amendments.
2025-05-29
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be AdoptedGaming Committee; 016-000-000
[Amendment] Motion filed to agree with the other chamber's amendments.
2025-05-31
Amendment Actions
Positive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs114-000-000
[Amendment] House agrees with Senate amendments to the bill.
2025-05-31
Concurrence
Positive
House Concurs Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII
House agrees with Senate amendments to the bill.
2025-05-31
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-06-24
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-15
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date August 15, 2025 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0255 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-05 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Robert "Bob" Rita House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-25 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Natalie A. Manley Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-04 | House | Assigned toGaming Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-12 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateGaming Committee; 015-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-13 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-17 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Robert "Bob" Rita | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-17 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-19 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toGaming Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-19 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedGaming Committee; 017-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-26 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-26 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-03-26 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed114-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Cristina Castro Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-29 | Senate | Assigned toExecutive Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-29 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Cristina Castro | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-29 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-06 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toExecutive | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-07 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-05-08 | Senate | Do Pass as AmendedExecutive; 010-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-05-08 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 13, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-14 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-14 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 15, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-15 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Thaddeus Jones Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-21 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;057-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII | Concurrence | Mild + |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed ConcurRep. Robert "Bob" Rita | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-28 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred toGaming Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-29 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be AdoptedGaming Committee; 016-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-05-31 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs114-000-000 | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-05-31 | House | House Concurs Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-05-31 | House | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-06-24 | House | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Effective Date August 15, 2025 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0255 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |