IllinoisHB4311104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

CRIM CD-OBSCENITY CIVIL ACTION

Sponsored By: Jay Hoffman (Democratic)

In Committee

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 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.

judiciary - civil

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jay Hoffman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Michael J. Kelly

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Ryan

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

    3/27/2026House
  2. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

    3/27/2026House
  3. Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

    3/27/2026House
  4. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    3/18/2026House
  5. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    3/18/2026House
  6. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

    2/18/2026House
  7. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman

    2/18/2026House
  8. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan

    2/17/2026House
  9. Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan

    2/17/2026House
  10. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

    2/13/2026House
  11. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman

    2/13/2026House
  12. Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    2/11/2026House
  13. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart

    2/2/2026House
  14. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly

    1/21/2026House
  15. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan

    1/21/2026House
  16. Referred to Rules Committee

    1/14/2026House
  17. First Reading

    1/14/2026House
  18. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

Related Bills

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