HB2459 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING LICENSURE
Last Action
08/15/2025 - House: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0228
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
225 ILCS 450/0.03  from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03
225 ILCS 450/3  from Ch. 111, par. 5504
225 ILCS 450/5.2  
225 ILCS 450/8  from Ch. 111, par. 5509
225 ILCS 450/14  from Ch. 111, par. 5515
225 ILCS 450/14.2  
225 ILCS 450/28  from Ch. 111, par. 5534
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes.
Actions
DateChamberAction
02/03/2025HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Natalie A. Manley
02/04/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
02/04/2025HouseFirst Reading
02/04/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
03/04/2025HouseAssigned to Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee
03/06/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
03/11/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee; 012-000-000
03/12/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
03/12/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
03/12/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick
03/12/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
03/19/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
03/19/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Regan Deering
04/08/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
04/08/2025HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 114-000-000
04/08/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
04/08/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
04/08/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh
04/09/2025SenateArrive in Senate
04/09/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
04/09/2025SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
04/09/2025SenateFirst Reading
04/09/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
04/23/2025SenateAssigned to Licensed Activities
05/01/2025SenateDo Pass Licensed Activities; 007-000-000
05/01/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 6, 2025
05/07/2025SenateSecond Reading
05/07/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 8, 2025
05/15/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
05/20/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
05/22/2025SenateThird Reading - Passed; 058-000-000
05/22/2025HousePassed Both Houses
06/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
08/15/2025HouseGovernor Approved
08/15/2025HouseEffective Date January 1, 2026
08/15/2025HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0228