Metro East Sun

Wayne A. Rosenthal introduced HB3217 in the Illinois House on Feb. 6, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the assessed value of non-income producing wooded acreage property may not exceed the product of the assessed value of the property for the immediately preceding assessment year multiplied by 104%. Effective immediately."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill amends the Property Tax Code to establish a cap on the yearly increase in assessed value for non-income producing wooded acreage in Illinois. Beginning with the 2025 assessment year, the assessed value of such property may not increase by more than 4% annually over its assessed value from the previous year. This provision applies until the earlier of the 2039 assessment year or when the property no longer qualifies as non-income producing wooded acreage. The term is defined as wooded land that does not generate any net income annually. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Wayne A. Rosenthal has proposed another five bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Rosenthal graduated from the University of Illinois-Springfield in 1974 with a BA.

Wayne A. Rosenthal is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 108th House District. He replaced previous state representative Charles Meier in 2023.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB3217	02/06/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the assessed value of non-income producing wooded acreage property may not exceed the product of the assessed value of the property for the immediately preceding assessment year multiplied by 104%. Effective immediately.
HB3216	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified physicians who work in hospitals, health clinics, or independently and who work in underserved areas or in rural counties or rural municipalities. Provides that the credit shall be in the amount of $5,000. Effective immediately.
HB3218	02/06/2025	Amends the Motor Fuel Sales Act. Authorizes motor fuel blends containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol, by volume, to be sold in the State at any time during the year if permitted under federal law. Provides that, if a federal authorization must be obtained to provide for the year-round sale of those motor fuel blends, then the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall take all actions necessary to obtain the federal authorization on behalf of the State.
HB3219	02/06/2025	Amends the Wildlife Code. Authorizes the taking of deer with a wildlife rifle (rather than a single shot centerfire rifle). Defines the term "wildlife rifle" as a centerfire rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Defines the term "straight-walled centerfire cartridge" as a cartridge that is used as ammunition in a centerfire and that has a diameter that is the same across its length and a metallic casing that extends to the projectile. Repeals the definition of and references to "single shot".
HB3220	02/06/2025	Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday of September in each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day (rather than the third Friday of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day) to be observed in honor and remembrance of the men and women who, as POWs, have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, have been recognized as missing in action in a time of war or during a period of hostilities (rather than who were recognized as POWs or MIAs in a time of war or during a period of hostilities). Provides that the Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation by official proclamation, that some portion of the third Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the United States armed forces who have been held prisoners of war and members of the United States armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible accounting for missing loved ones. Effective immediately.
HB3221	02/06/2025	Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the fee for a fishing or hunting license is $5 for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces.
HB3222	02/06/2025	Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a law enforcement officer who arrests the owner of a companion animal for a violation of the owner's duties may lawfully take possession of some or all of the companion animals in the possession of the owner. Allows a State's Attorney 30 days (rather than 14 days) after seizure of a companion animal to file a petition for forfeiture prior to trial, asking for permanent forfeiture of the companion animals seized.
HB3223	02/06/2025	Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Includes animal control officers and animal wardens within the scope of the Act. Defines terms.
HB3224	02/06/2025	Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Includes emergency medical services personnel within the scope of the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
HB2742	02/05/2025	Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows a veteran who is traveling to or from a medical appointment to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the veteran has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows a veteran to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.
HB1635	01/23/2025	Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, by no later than January 1, 2026, the Department of Central Management Services shall, by rule, establish a program to allow the active members of TRS and their dependent beneficiaries to participate in the program of group health benefits made available under the Act to TRS benefit recipients and TRS dependent beneficiaries, including the program of group health benefits for Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents, in lieu of health benefits otherwise provided by the school district. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the program, including, but not limited to, the manner of electing to participate in the program, eligibility for participation in the program, and contributions for coverage through the program. Effective immediately.