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HB3237

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TRAFFICKING VICTIMS-DEFENSE

What this bill does

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor or in a place where the person does not have a right to be if the person is engaged in the activity or in the place due to the person's status as a trafficking victim. Provides that a person must prove the person's status as a trafficking victim by clear and convincing evidence. Provides that the person may provide clear and convincing evidence of the person's status as a trafficking victim through testimony at trial. Defines "trafficking victim" as a person subjected to the practices prohibited by the involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons statutes.

Sponsor: Jennifer Sanalitro Chamber: House Introduced: 2025-02-06
Stuck
P(Advance)
7.6%
Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
0.0%
Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Forecast
0.7%
Low P(law) at intro — sponsor & topic only; no progress or delay.
Confidence: 92%

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: In Committee · Last action 260 days ago · STAGNANT

How does a bill become law in Illinois?
  1. Introduction of Bill

    A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.

  2. Committee Work — Hearings

    The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.

  3. Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report

    The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.

  4. Floor Debate

    The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.

  5. Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber

    If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.

  6. Gubernatorial Action

    The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.

Sponsor Context

Hearings

This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.

Witness slips

6 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.

Name Organization Representing Position Hearing committee Hearing date
Matthew Slade Myself Myself Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-18
Michael Luebbers Illinois Freedom Civic Coalition dba Illinois Freedom Alliance On behalf of IFCC dba IFA Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-18
Madeleine Behr Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-20
Madeleine Behr Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-18
Michael Luebbers Illinois Freedom Civic Coalition dba Illinois Freedom Alliance On behalf of IFCC dba IFA Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-18
Sarah Beuning Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault Proponent Judiciary - Criminal 2025-03-18

Action History

12 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-07-23 — Added Co-SponsorRep. Jeff Keicher. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2025-02-06 Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Jennifer Sanalitro House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-18 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-18 Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-11 Committee Assignment
Assigned toJudiciary - Criminal Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-12 Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Jennifer Sanalitro
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-12 Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-13 Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toJudiciary - Criminal Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-21 Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred toRules Committee House Rule 19(a); Senate analog: Rule 3-9(a)
MISSED COMMITTEE DEADLINE — bill did not get a committee vote before the deadline and is re-referred to Rules/Assignments. The bill is NOT dead but faces an uphill battle to be reassigned. Most bills that hit Rule 19(a) do not advance.
2025-03-21 Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-25 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Tony M. McCombie Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-03-26 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-07-23 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Jeff Keicher Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.

All actions (table)

Date Chamber Action Category Signal
2025-02-06 House Filed with the Clerk byRep. Jennifer Sanalitro House Rule 6(b) Introduction & Filing —
2025-02-18 House First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing —
2025-02-18 House Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment —
2025-03-11 House Assigned toJudiciary - Criminal Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) Committee Assignment —
2025-03-12 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Jennifer Sanalitro Amendment Actions —
2025-03-12 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee Amendment Actions —
2025-03-13 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toJudiciary - Criminal Committee Amendment Actions —
2025-03-21 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred toRules Committee House Rule 19(a); Senate analog: Rule 3-9(a) Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
2025-03-21 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred toRules Committee Amendment Actions —
2025-03-25 House Added Co-SponsorRep. Tony M. McCombie Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-03-26 House Added Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-07-23 House Added Co-SponsorRep. Jeff Keicher Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +