Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB5078: CIV PRO-GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Status: Passed one chamber, May 28, 2026
Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of a claim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to the moving party's reporting gender-based violence. Provides that if a court finds that the civil action is based on the moving party reporting gender-based violence, it shall grant a motion to dismiss the claim unless it finds that the responding party has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the moving party's reporting gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Provides that absent any additional corroborating evidence, specified pieces of evidence may not, on its own or in combination with each other, be used to establish that the moving party's reporting of gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Sets forth motion and procedure standards for a motion filed under the Article. Establishes awards for attorney's fees and costs, injunctive relief, and damages. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Protect Survivors Reporting Act. Effective immediately.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5078Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Mary Beth CantySYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/Art. XXIV heading new735 ILCS 5/24-105 new735 ILCS 5/24-110 new735 ILCS 5/24-115 new735 ILCS 5/24-120 new735 ILCS 5/24-125 new735 ILCS 5/24-130 new735 ILCS 5/24-135 new 735 ILCS 5/Art. XXIV heading new 735 ILCS 5/24-105 new 735 ILCS 5/24-110 new 735 ILCS 5/24-115 new 735 ILCS 5/24-120 new 735 ILCS 5/24-125 new 735 ILCS 5/24-130 new 735 ILCS 5/24-135 new ILCS 5/Art…
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5078Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Mary Beth CantySYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/Art. XXIV heading new735 ILCS 5/24-105 new735 ILCS 5/24-110 new735 ILCS 5/24-115 new735 ILCS 5/24-120 new735 ILCS 5/24-125 new735 ILCS 5/24-130 new735 ILCS 5/24-135 new 735 ILCS 5/Art. XXIV heading new 735 ILCS 5/24-105 new 735 ILCS 5/24-110 new 735 ILCS 5/24-115 new 735 ILCS 5/24-120 new 735 ILCS 5/24-125 new 735 ILCS 5/24-130 new 735 ILCS 5/24-135 new ILCS 5/Art. XXIV heading new ILCS 5/24-105 new ILCS 5/24-110 new ILCS 5/24-115 new ILCS 5/24-120 new ILCS 5/24-125 new ILCS 5/24-130 new ILCS 5/24-135 new Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article in the Code of CivilProcedure. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of aclaim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to the moving party'sreporting gender-based violence. Provides that if a court finds that thecivil action is based on the moving party reporting gender-based violence,it shall grant a motion to dismiss the claim unless it finds that theresponding party has established by a preponderance of the evidence thatthe moving party's reporting gender-based violence was done with knowledgethat the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it wasfalse or not. Provides that absent any additional corroborating evidence,specified pieces of evidence may not, …