HB4212
View on ILGACOURT ACCESS-SAFETY
What this bill does
Creates the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act. Makes legislative findings concerning access to the courts. Creates a privilege from civil arrest for a person who in good faith is attending a State court proceeding or who is going to, remaining at, or returning from the place of the court proceeding. Creates a civil cause of action for a violation of the Act if the person alleged to have violated the Act knew or reasonably should have known that the person arrested is a person duly and in good faith attending a State court proceeding in which the person is a party, a witness, a potential witness, or a court companion of a party, witness, or potential witness while going to, remaining at, and returning from the court proceeding. Provides that the injured person may recover statutory damages of $10,000 and actual damages, any equitable or declaratory relief the court deems appropriate and just, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs for a successful action. Prohibits an action from being commenced under the Act against the Illinois court system or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Provides that nothing in the Act affects any right or defense, including any existing qualified immunity defense, of any person, police officer, peace officer or public officer, or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under their duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Makes other changes. Specifies that the provisions of the Act are severable. Effective immediately.
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Current stage: In Committee · Last action 85 days ago · SLOW
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
Bills sponsored by Norma Hernandez advance 5% more often than the chamber average.
Hearings
This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.
Action History
3 actions recorded. Last action: 2026-01-14 — Referred toRules Committee. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-21 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Norma Hernandez House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-01-14 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-01-14 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |