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IllinoisSB1181104th General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate

PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION

Sponsored By: Steve Stadelman (Democratic)

Became Law

assignmentsjudiciaryjudiciary - civil

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger protections against lawsuits over speech

For lawsuits filed on or after January 1, 2026, you can ask the court to dismiss claims that target your speech, press work, or efforts to petition or take part in government. Acts in furtherance of those rights are immune from liability unless they were not truly aimed at getting a government result. Filing the motion pauses other parts of the case between you and the other party, including discovery, until the court rules and the appeal time ends; an appeal keeps the pause in place. The court can also pause related matters for other parties if they turn on the same key issue, allow limited discovery, hear unrelated motions, and hear emergency public health or safety injunctions. Voluntary dismissals and fee motions can still go forward during a pause. If you win the motion, the court awards your reasonable attorney fees and costs for that motion. If your motion is frivolous or filed only to delay, the other side can recover their fees and costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Stadelman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Didech

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    Democratic • House

  • Tracy Katz Muhl

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 57

Senate vote • 5/31/2025

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs

Yes: 47 • No: 10

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Judiciary;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 75 • No: 38

House vote • 5/7/2025

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 13 • No: 4

House vote • 5/7/2025

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 13 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass as Amended Judiciary;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0431

    8/21/2025Senate

  2. Effective Date August 21, 2025

    8/21/2025Senate

  3. Governor Approved

    8/21/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/27/2025Senate

  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/31/2025Senate

  6. Senate Concurs

    5/31/2025Senate

  7. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 047-010-000

    5/31/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Judiciary; 008-000-000

    5/28/2025Senate

  9. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Judiciary

    5/27/2025Senate

  10. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments

    5/27/2025Senate

  11. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Steve Stadelman

    5/27/2025Senate

  12. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 26, 2025

    5/22/2025Senate

  13. Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1

    5/22/2025Senate

  14. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-038-000

    5/22/2025House

  15. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/22/2025House

  16. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

    5/21/2025House

  17. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    5/21/2025House

  18. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  19. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  20. Alternate Co-Sponsor Removed Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

    5/12/2025House

  21. Alternate Co-Sponsor Removed Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    5/12/2025House

  22. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

    5/12/2025House

  23. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    5/12/2025House

  24. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    5/7/2025House

  25. Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-004-000

    5/7/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendment 1

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Senate Amendment 1

    PDF

  • Senate Amendment 2

    PDF

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