# Illinois HB3736: CRIM CD-OBSCENITY CIVIL ACTION

Illinois HB3736, CRIM CD-OBSCENITY CIVIL ACTION, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-03-21 (Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB3736-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB3736
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: CRIM CD-OBSCENITY CIVIL ACTION
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-02-07
- Last action: 2025-03-21, Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: judiciary - civil
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that any person who is harmed by the unlawful sale, distribution, promotion, or exhibition of obscene material may bring a civil action against the individual or entity responsible for the violation. Provides that the prevailing plaintiff in a civil action under this provision may be entitled to compensatory damages for actual damages suffered as a result of the obscenity violation. Provides that, in addition to compensatory damages, the plaintiff may recover punitive damages as determined by the court. Provides that damages shall not exceed $10,000,000 for each count in the civil action, with each separate instance of unlawful sale, distribution, promotion, or exhibition of obscene material constituting a separate count. Provides that a civil action for obscenity violations under this provision must be brought within 5 years of the discovery of the violation or the harm caused by the violation. Provides that, in any successful civil action, the plaintiff may be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees in addition to the damages awarded. Provides that a court may grant injunctive relief to prevent further violations of this provision, including the cessation of the sale, distribution, or exhibition of obscene material by the defendant. Provides that the civil action may be brought in the county where the defendant resides, where the unlawful sale, distribution, promotion, or exhibition occurred, or where the plaintiff resides, if applicable.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic), House

## Actions (5)

- 2025-03-21: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-11: Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee (House)
- 2025-02-18: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-02-18: First Reading (House)
- 2025-02-07: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3736.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3736.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB3736-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).