IL HB4245

Amends the Illinois Plumbing License Law to regulate irrigation contractors who install lawn sprinkler systems, requiring annual registration with the Department and proof of general liability insurance ($100,000 minimum), bodily injury insurance ($300,000 minimum), property damage insurance ($50,000 minimum), and workers' compensation insurance ($500,000 minimum).

Requires irrigation contractors to provide a $20,000 indemnification bond or irrevocable letter of credit and register all employees who install or supervise lawn sprinkler system installations; at least one employee must complete an approved course in lawn sprinkler design and installation.

Mandates that licensed plumbers inspect all sprinkler systems installed by irrigation contractors, make physical connections between systems and backflow prevention devices, and affix certification tags to backflow devices; establishes minimum licensed plumber staffing requirements based on contractor size (1 plumber for 7 or fewer employees, up to 6 plumbers for 36 or more employees).

Establishes tiered civil penalties for unregistered irrigation contractors ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense and increases penalties for registered contractors allowing unregistered employees to $10,000 per offense, with mandatory license suspension or revocation.

Requires all automatically operated lawn sprinkler systems installed after January 1, 2009 to include weather-based moisture or rainfall sensors that inhibit operation during sufficient moisture periods, exempting golf courses and agricultural land.