Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB1181

Creates the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Applies the Act to a civil cause of action, including an action in federal court under its supplemental or diversity jurisdiction, against a person based on the person's: (i) communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (ii) communication on an issue under consideration or review in any of these proceedings; or (iii) exercise of a right guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution on a matter of public concern. Provides that the Act does not apply to a cause of action asserted: (i) against a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting or purporting to act in an official capacity; (ii) by a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity to enforce a law to protect against an imminent threat to public health or safety; or (iii) against a person primarily engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods or services if the cause of action arises out of a communication related to the person's sale or lease of the goods or services. Creates a procedure for a special motion for expedited relief for a party being sued for issues covered by the Act to dismiss or strike the action in whole or in part within 60 days of being sued. Requires the court to rule on a special motion for expedited relief within 60 days after a hearing, and the court must conduct a hearing not later than 60 days after the filing of such a motion unless it continues it for discovery under the Act or for other good cause. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Citizen Participation Act. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Citizen Participation Act to declare that it is the public policy of Illinois that press opining, reporting, or investigating matters of public concern is participating and communicating with the government and that the Act should be construed broadly in striking the balance of rights that the Act seeks to protect. Provides that for the Act's applicability the claim does not need to solely pertain to the moving party's constitutional rights as the Act applies regardless of the motives of the person who brought that the claim the moving party is seeking to dispose of. Imposes a stay on all proceedings on the filing of a motion seeking the protection of the Act. Provides that on a motion by the moving party, the court may stay a hearing or motion involving another party, or discovery by another party, if the hearing or ruling on the motion would adjudicate, or the discovery would relate to, an issue material to the motion to dispose of a claim under the Act. Allows exemptions from the stay on certain conditions. Effective immediately. Applies to actions commenced on or after January 1, 2026.

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