Chicago City Wire

Emil Jones, III introduced SB1973 in the Illinois Senate 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 Transportation Network Providers Act. Provides that if a transportation network company (TNC) rejects an individual applying to be a TNC driver, the TNC shall describe to the applicant, in writing, the reasons for their rejection along with documentation confirming that the applicant maintains one of the disqualifying conditions. Provides that every TNC driver has a right to inspect, copy, and receive copies of the specified documents, with exceptions. Provides that within 24 hours of each trip completion, the TNC must transmit a detailed electronic receipt to the TNC driver. Provides that each week, a TNC must transmit a weekly summary to a driver in writing or electronically containing certain information for the preceding calendar week. Requires a TNC to maintain a written plain-language deactivation policy that provides the policies and procedures for deactivation. Prohibits a TNC from deactivating a TNC driver for: (1) a violation not reasonably understood as part of a TNC's written deactivation policy; (2) a driver's ability to work a minimum number of hours; (3) a driver's acceptance or rejection of a ride, as long as the acceptance or rejection is not for a discriminatory purpose; (4) a driver's good faith statement regarding compensation or working conditions made publicly or privately; or (5) a driver asserting the driver's legal rights under any local, State, or federal law. Requires the TNC to provide notice at the time of deactivation or, for deactivations based on serious misconduct, within 3 days of the deactivation. Requires a TNC to adopt policies ensuring complete reimbursement to TNC drivers for any violations of a parking ordinance of a unit of local government. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a TNC to retaliate through deactivation or in any other manner against a TNC driver for exercising any rights granted under the Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026."

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

In essence, this bill amends the Transportation Network Providers Act to require transportation network companies (TNCs) to provide detailed written explanations for rejecting driver applications and grant drivers the right to inspect relevant documents. TNCs must deliver electronic trip receipts and weekly summaries to drivers, detailing fares, compensation, and trip specifics. The bill mandates a written deactivation policy, outlining procedures and appeals for driver deactivations, while prohibiting certain deactivations related to hours, ride refusals, or legal rights assertions. TNCs must reimburse drivers for parking violations during assignments and prohibit retaliatory measures against drivers exercising their rights. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the bill allows for monetary damages and attorney’s fees in case of violations.

Emil Jones, III has proposed another three bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Emil Jones III is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 14th Senate District. He replaced previous state senator Emil Jones Jr. in 2009.

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
SB1973	02/06/2025	Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Provides that if a transportation network company (TNC) rejects an individual applying to be a TNC driver, the TNC shall describe to the applicant, in writing, the reasons for their rejection along with documentation confirming that the applicant maintains one of the disqualifying conditions. Provides that every TNC driver has a right to inspect, copy, and receive copies of the specified documents, with exceptions. Provides that within 24 hours of each trip completion, the TNC must transmit a detailed electronic receipt to the TNC driver. Provides that each week, a TNC must transmit a weekly summary to a driver in writing or electronically containing certain information for the preceding calendar week. Requires a TNC to maintain a written plain-language deactivation policy that provides the policies and procedures for deactivation. Prohibits a TNC from deactivating a TNC driver for: (1) a violation not reasonably understood as part of a TNC's written deactivation policy; (2) a driver's ability to work a minimum number of hours; (3) a driver's acceptance or rejection of a ride, as long as the acceptance or rejection is not for a discriminatory purpose; (4) a driver's good faith statement regarding compensation or working conditions made publicly or privately; or (5) a driver asserting the driver's legal rights under any local, State, or federal law. Requires the TNC to provide notice at the time of deactivation or, for deactivations based on serious misconduct, within 3 days of the deactivation. Requires a TNC to adopt policies ensuring complete reimbursement to TNC drivers for any violations of a parking ordinance of a unit of local government. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a TNC to retaliate through deactivation or in any other manner against a TNC driver for exercising any rights granted under the Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
SB1653	02/05/2025	Amends the Hospital Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create a pool of funding of at least $50,000,000 annually to be disbursed among safety-net hospitals that maintain perinatal designation from the Department of Public Health, provides that no safety-net hospital eligible for funds shall receive less than $5,000,000 annually.
SB1654	02/05/2025	Amends the Energy Conservation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
SB1439	01/31/2025	Creates the Best Customer Price Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education or a State agency may require best customer pricing for any goods it procures. Provides that, if goods are to be purchased by the State from a supplier or reseller, the supplier or reseller shall attest that the price is the best customer price. Provides that the supplier or reseller shall include a provision in the letter of supply from the manufacturer that the supplier or reseller can secure the supply and quantity of goods to be purchased, and that the manufacturer has extended the same best customer pricing from the manufacturer to each of the suppliers or resellers registered with the State for the goods to be purchased. Provides that, if a public institution of higher education or a State agency requires best customer pricing for the goods but does not believe the price is competitive, the public institution of higher education or the State agency may decline to award the bid. Effective immediately.