# Illinois HB4557: DIGITAL FORGERIES IN POLITICS

Illinois HB4557, DIGITAL FORGERIES IN POLITICS, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-03-27 (Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4557-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB4557
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: DIGITAL FORGERIES IN POLITICS
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-23
- Last action: 2026-03-27, Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: judiciary - civil
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Creates the Digital Forgeries in Politics Act. Provides that an individual depicted in a digital forgery who is an Illinois resident and a candidate for office in this State has a cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, or enters into an agreement with another person to distribute, a digital forgery if: (1) the distribution occurs within 90 days before a regular election; and (2) the distribution is reasonably likely to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election. Sets forth exceptions. Allows a court to issue a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease the display or distribution of the digital forgery. Includes additional awards to a prevailing plaintiff.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez (Democratic), House

## Actions (6)

- 2026-03-27: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-02-18: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez (House)
- 2026-02-17: Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee (House)
- 2026-01-30: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-01-30: First Reading (House)
- 2026-01-23: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4557.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/10400HB4557.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-HB4557-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).