IllinoisHB4890104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Creates the Dependency Determinations for Unaccompanied Children Act. Creates a process for an unaccompanied child in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement housed in Illinois who is alleged to have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to file a petition seeking a finding of dependency under the Act. Provides that a child declared dependent is eligible for oversight and services as ordered by the court and may be referred for psychological, educational, medical, or social services deemed necessary as a result of parental abuse, abandonment, or neglect or for protection against trafficking or domestic violence. Defines terms. Makes legislative findings. Effective immediately.

judiciary - civilassignmentsexecutive

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Court protection for unaccompanied children

A child under 18 in federal Office of Refugee Resettlement custody and housed in Illinois can ask an Illinois juvenile court for a dependency finding based on alleged abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The petition can be filed in any Illinois county. The court must hold a hearing within 35 days, or sooner in an emergency. If the evidence shows the claims are more likely true than not, the court must find whether reunification is not viable and whether return to the child’s or parent’s country of nationality or habitual residence is not in the child’s best interest. The petition must include facts about the child and Illinois facility, cannot name a parent as a respondent, and must state that parental rights cannot be ended under this law. The court may order oversight and referrals for needed psychological, educational, medical, or social services; taking part is voluntary, and the court may keep jurisdiction until age 18 or as otherwise ordered. Children pay no filing fees, and a child with a lawyer can proceed without a guardian ad litem. Proceedings and records stay sealed and confidential. The court’s findings do not change existing laws on custody or placement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ann M. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Cristina Castro

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dagmara Avelar

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    Democratic • House

  • Karina Villa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kevin John Olickal

    Democratic • House

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura Ellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura Fine

    Democratic • Senate

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Lilian Jiménez

    Democratic • House

  • Linda Holmes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark L. Walker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Peters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sara Feigenholtz

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 38

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 54 • No: 5

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Executive;

Yes: 10 • No: 2

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Standard Debate - Passed

Yes: 82 • No: 26

House vote • 4/15/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 18 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0462

    6/1/2026House
  2. Effective Date June 1, 2026

    6/1/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/1/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/30/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman

    5/21/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson

    5/20/2026Senate
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker

    5/19/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

    5/19/2026Senate
  9. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    5/19/2026Senate
  10. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    5/19/2026Senate
  11. Passed Both Houses

    5/19/2026House
  12. Third Reading - Passed; 054-005-000

    5/19/2026Senate
  13. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.

    5/19/2026Senate
  14. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

    5/15/2026Senate
  15. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    5/14/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 12, 2026

    5/7/2026Senate
  17. Second Reading

    5/7/2026Senate
  18. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine

    5/7/2026Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  20. Do Pass Executive; 010-002-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  21. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick

    5/6/2026Senate
  22. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters

    5/5/2026Senate
  23. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

    4/30/2026Senate
  24. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes

    4/29/2026Senate
  25. Assigned to Executive

    4/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

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