HB4540
View on ILGAPOSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS
What this bill does
Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: In Committee · Last action 57 days ago · PENDING
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
Public Engagement
Hearings
This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.
Witness slips
54 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicia Lauhon | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Amanda Jenkins | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Amy Yargosz | NA | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Andrew Rice | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Anne McDermott | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Brea Morris | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Brigid Coleman | SELF | SELF | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Carrie Felix | N/A | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Cheryl Das | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Cheyenne Johnson | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Claudia Baier | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Dayle Holmquist | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Deborah Fenner | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Diane L Herrmann | NA | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Dwain Thomas | none | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Eric Poorman | self | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Gail Housman | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Gina Lawrence | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Heriberto Leon | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Janet Hanley | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| JAY D STARKS | Denna Mugs LLC | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Jeanne Hostetler | NA | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Jenna Braunstein | na | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Jennifer Linton | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Joan Scheeter | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Joshua Mark | self | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Joy Bunton | NA | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Karen Yatsko | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Kat Hatziavramidis | 10 Minutes A Day | 10 Minutes A Day | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Lane Silvas | self | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Laura Lewis-Barr | N/a | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Lindsey Anderson | 217-254-2290 | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Madeline Miley | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Margaret Van Dyke | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Mary Elizabeth McCormick | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Mary K Wehking | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Mary Kate Turek | Na | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Mary Lenehan | NA | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Matangi Melpakkam | NA | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Maureen Keane | She Votes Illinois | She Votes Illinois | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Meg Eifrig | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Megan Ramelli | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Michele Niccolai | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Paula Clark | NA | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Rachel Becknell | na | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Rachel Das | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Rebecca Miller | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Sammie Gonzalez | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Stephanie Carrera | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Stephanie Holt | none | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Susan Balaban | Self | Self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
| Theresa Palluzzi | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 | |
| Victor Skade | 60513-1711 | self | Proponent | Judiciary - Civil | 2026-02-18 |
Action History
4 actions recorded. Last action: 2026-02-11 — Assigned toJudiciary - Civil Committee. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-22 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Barbara Hernandez House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-01-30 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-01-30 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Assigned toJudiciary - Civil Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |