A new Illinois law will place additional restrictions on the sale and purchase of copper and telecommunications wire in an effort to combat theft.
Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4943 on July 31st amending the state’s Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law.
The legislation makes it illegal to sell or purchase telecommunications wire unless the seller is an authorized agent or licensed contractor of a public utility or telecommunications provider.
The law also prohibits recyclable metal dealers from making cash payments of $100 or more for telecommunications wire, copper tubing or copper wiring.
State Representative Jay Hoffman, who sponsored the legislation, said the goal is to reduce the financial incentive for thieves to steal and sell copper.
Copper wire theft has become a recurring problem in parts of Illinois, particularly around the St. Louis region, where thieves have targeted wiring for its scrap value.
The new law takes effect January 1, 2027.