HB3359
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What this bill does
Amends the Jury Act. Increases the number of petit jurors that may be drawn to serve from 14 up to and including 16 if alternate jurors are required. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Allows the court to impanel up to and including 4 alternative jurors instead of 1 or 2. Applies to actions commenced or pending on or after January 1, 2026.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 237 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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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.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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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.
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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
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Moderate Influence (#28)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills they sponsor outperform predictions (positive pull)
Bills sponsored by Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz advance 13% more often than the chamber average.
Witness slips
5 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brittan Bolin | Brittan Bolin Consulting | Illinois Association of Court Clerks | Proponent | Judiciary | 2025-04-30 |
| David Eldridge | David P. Eldridge | Illinois State Bar Association | Proponent | Judiciary | 2025-04-30 |
| Tim McLean | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Proponent | Judiciary | 2025-04-30 |
| David Eldridge | David P. Eldridge | Illinois State Bar Association | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2025-03-19 |
| Tim McLean | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2025-03-19 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Judiciary - Civil | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Passed | 20 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 112 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Passed | 112 | — | |
| S | Committee | Judiciary | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Passed | 7 | — | |
| 2025-05-22 | S | Floor | May 22, 2025 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 58 | — |
Action History
29 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-15 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0298. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-07
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 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 - Civil 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.
2025-03-19
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateJudiciary - Civil Committee; 020-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-03-19
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-03-20
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Jay Hoffman Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Chief co-sponsor added.
2025-03-25
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-03-25
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-03-25
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Diane Blair-Sherlock Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-03-25
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Chief co-sponsor added.
2025-04-08
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed112-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-09
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Michael E. Hastings Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-09
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.
2025-04-09
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments 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.
2025-04-23
Committee Assignment
Assigned toJudiciary 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.
2025-05-01
Committee Action
Positive
Do PassJudiciary; 007-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-05-01
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 6, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-05-07
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-05-07
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 8, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-20
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-22
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-05-22
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-06-20
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-15
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date January 1, 2026 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0298 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-07 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 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 - Civil Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-19 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateJudiciary - Civil Committee; 020-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-19 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-20 | House | Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Jay Hoffman Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Diane Blair-Sherlock Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed112-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Michael E. Hastings Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-23 | Senate | Assigned toJudiciary Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-05-01 | Senate | Do PassJudiciary; 007-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-05-01 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 6, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-07 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-07 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 8, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-20 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-22 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-22 | House | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-06-20 | House | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Effective Date January 1, 2026 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0298 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |