POWERING UP ILLINOIS ACT

The Powering Up Illinois Act requires electric utilities in Illinois to upgrade the state's electrical distribution systems to meet decarbonization goals and comply with air quality standards. Utilities must plan and construct increased system capacity in advance, ensuring prompt energization of new customers, including housing, businesses, and various vehicle charging stations. The act also allows customers to choose flexible connection agreements that provide specified service levels and mandates utilities to recruit, train, and retain a qualified workforce for these tasks. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB3349/2025?utm_source=openai))

IL HB3349 is a house bill in the Illinois 104th General Assembly, sponsored by Curtis Tarver (D), currently “Introduced” since February 7, 2025.

We track 10,846 Illinois bills this session, 69 of them sponsored by Curtis Tarver.

The Powering Up Illinois Act has been recognized for its potential to position Illinois as a leader in responsible tech infrastructure growth. Supporters argue that the bill could ensure sustainability without compromising environmental justice or burdening consumers. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/10/illinois-bill-pushes-data-center-accountability?utm_source=openai))

Critics, such as Brad Tietz from the Data Center Coalition, describe the bill as overly extensive. They express concerns that the bill's broad scope may impose undue burdens on data centers and related industries. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/10/illinois-bill-pushes-data-center-accountability?utm_source=openai))