CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Senate SponsorsSen. John J. Cullerton House Sponsors(Rep. Jack D. Franks-Sara Feigenholtz-Rosemary Mulligan, Greg Harris, Linda Chapa LaVia, Jim Sacia and William B. Black) 8/28/2007SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 95-0506 New ActCreates the Citizen Participation Act. Applies to motions in cases concerning SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) that have been filed to discourage citizen participation in government. Requires courts to decide those motions within 90 days. Provides that discovery is suspended pending a decision on the motion. Allows discovery on certain issues upon leave of court. Requires that the motion be granted and the claim dismissed unless the responding party produces clear and convincing evidence that the moving parties' acts are not immunized under this Act. Provides for attorney's fees and costs to be awarded to the prevailing moving party. Effective immediately.Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Citizen Participation Act. Provides that the threat of SLAPPs (instead of SLAPPs, personal liability, and burdensome litigation costs) significantly chills and diminishes citizen participation in government, voluntary public service, and the exercise of these important constitutional rights. 2/9/2007SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. John J. Cullerton 2/9/2007SenateFirst Reading 2/9/2007SenateReferred to Rules 2/21/2007SenateAssigned to Judiciary Civil Law 3/1/2007SenateHeld in Judiciary Civil Law 3/8/2007SenateHeld in Judiciary Civil Law 3/14/2007SenateDo Pass Judiciary Civil Law; 009-000-000 3/14/2007SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 15, 2007 3/22/2007SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. John J. Cullerton 3/22/2007SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules 3/22/2007SenateSecond Reading 3/22/2007SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 27, 2007 3/27/2007SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary Civil Law 3/28/2007SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Judiciary Civil Law; 007-000-000 3/30/2007SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2007 4/20/2007SenateRecalled to Second Reading 4/20/2007SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Cullerton 4/20/2007SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading 4/20/2007SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-000-000 4/23/2007HouseArrived in House 4/23/2007HousePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 4/23/2007HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Jack D. Franks 4/24/2007HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sara Feigenholtz 4/24/2007HouseFirst Reading 4/24/2007HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/30/2007HouseAssigned to Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee 5/8/2007HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee; 011-000-000 5/9/2007HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 5/24/2007HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/24/2007HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 5/31/2007HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 116-000-000 5/31/2007SenatePassed Both Houses 5/31/2007HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rosemary Mulligan 5/31/2007HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Greg Harris 5/31/2007HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia 5/31/2007HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jim Sacia 5/31/2007HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. William B. Black 6/29/2007SenateSent to the Governor 8/28/2007SenateGovernor Approved 8/28/2007SenateEffective Date August 28, 2007 8/28/2007SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 95-0506