# Illinois HB4748: ANIMAL SHELTER PUBLIC VIEWING

Illinois HB4748, ANIMAL SHELTER PUBLIC VIEWING, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Harry Benton (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-02-06 (Referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4748-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB4748
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: ANIMAL SHELTER PUBLIC VIEWING
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-02
- Last action: 2026-02-06, Referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Harry Benton (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. In provisions concerning the acceptance of stray dogs and cats, provides that an animal shelter shall allow access to the public to view the animals housed there, and access to in-person viewing of the animals at the animal shelter shall not be restricted, except during emergency circumstances. Provides that "access to the public" means in-person access for any member of the public to view any impounded animal that is housed at an animal shelter during the animal shelter's regular hours of operation.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Harry Benton (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-02-06: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-02-06: First Reading (House)
- 2026-02-02: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Harry Benton (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4748.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/10400HB4748.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-HB4748-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).