Bill > HB3023

This bill, known as the Neighborhood Freedom from Intimidation Act, creates legal protections for individuals who are victims of intentional threatening behaviors, specifically targeting two types of intimidating actions: intentionally threatening leafletting and intentional false reporting of violent crimes. The bill defines "intentionally threatening leafletting" as distributing materials on private property without authorization, with the malicious intent to threaten or intimidate someone based on personal characteristics like race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. "Intentional false reporting of a violent crime" means deliberately making a false report to law enforcement about criminal activity. Under this bill, victims can file a private civil lawsuit to seek relief, including monetary damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. To prevent misuse, the bill stipulates that speech alone cannot be grounds for a lawsuit unless it meets specific criteria, such as intentionally threatening physical violence, creating reasonable fear of violence, and demonstrating the apparent ability to carry out the threat. The bill explicitly states that it does not limit other legal remedies and cannot be used to suppress constitutionally protected activities. The underlying intent is to address growing trends of community intimidation, provide recourse for victims, and deter future incidents of harassment.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3023&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104