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SB1181Introduced in the Senate

PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION

Passed

Introduced by Steve Stadelman, District 34

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

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.

Where it stands

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

August 21, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

2 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Concurrence in Senate · May 31, 2025

47

Yes

10

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

59 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Javier Cervantes1Yes
Omar Aquino2Yes
Mattie Hunter3Yes
Kimberly Lightford4Not Voting
Lakesia Collins5Yes
Sara Feigenholtz6Yes
Mike Simmons7Yes
Ram Villivalam8Yes
Laura Fine9Not Voting
Robert Martwick10Yes

Bill history

  1. Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve Stadelman

  2. First Reading

  3. Referred to Assignments

  4. Assigned to Judiciary

  5. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve Stadelman

  6. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

  7. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve Stadelman

  8. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments

  9. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8(b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments

  10. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Judiciary

  11. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted

  12. Do Pass as Amended Judiciary; 009-000-000

  13. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025

  14. Second Reading

  15. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025

  16. Third Reading - Passed; 055-001-000

  17. Arrived in House

  18. Chief House Sponsor Rep. Daniel Didech

  19. First Reading

  20. Referred to Rules Committee

  21. Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

  22. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Daniel Didech

  23. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

  24. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

  25. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-004-000

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

  27. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

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

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

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

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

  32. Second Reading - Short Debate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  45. Senate Concurs

  46. Passed Both Houses

  47. Sent to the Governor

  48. Governor Approved

  49. Effective Date August 21, 2025

  50. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0431

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