summary
Introduced
01/24/2025
01/24/2025
In Committee
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
Crossed Over
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Passed
08/21/2025
08/21/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
08/21/2025
08/21/2025
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Citizen Participation Act to declare that it is the public policy of Illinois that press opining, reporting, or investigating matters of public concern is participating and communicating with the government and that the Act should be construed broadly in striking the balance of rights that the Act seeks to protect. Provides that for the Act's applicability the claim does not need to solely pertain to the moving party's constitutional rights as the Act applies regardless of the motives of the person who brought that the claim the moving party is seeking to dispose of. Imposes a stay on all proceedings on the filing of a motion seeking the protection of the Act. Provides that on a motion by the moving party, the court may stay a hearing or motion involving another party, or discovery by another party, if the hearing or ruling on the motion would adjudicate, or the discovery would relate to, an issue material to the motion to dispose of a claim under the Act. Allows exemptions from the stay on certain conditions. Effective immediately. Applies to actions commenced on or after January 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Citizen Participation Act to strengthen protections for individuals and press organizations engaging in public discourse and government participation. The bill expands the definition of public participation to explicitly include press reporting, opining, and investigating matters of public concern, and clarifies that legal claims under the Act are not limited to constitutional rights and can apply regardless of the plaintiff's motives. It introduces a mandatory stay on legal proceedings when a motion is filed under the Act, which pauses discovery and other legal actions to prevent what are known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) that might intimidate or discourage public engagement. The bill allows for limited exceptions to the stay, such as for motions unrelated to the main claim or for injunctions protecting public health and safety. Additionally, the bill provides for potential attorney's fees and costs to be awarded to prevailing parties, with special provisions for cases deemed frivolous. The changes will apply to legal actions commenced on or after January 1, 2026, and the bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law, reflecting Illinois's commitment to protecting free speech and press freedom.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0431 (on 08/21/2025)
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