HB 4255 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS

Summary
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Apr 15, 2026 Signed Jun 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · Jun 26, 2026
MINOR
The primary change between the Engrossed and Enrolled versions of HB 4255 is the update of the bill's status from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' in the header and page footers. This indicates the bill has been approved by both legislative chambers and the Governor, making it official law. No substantive policy changes, such as new definitions, funding amounts, or enforcement rules, were made in this version.
TECHNICAL

Updated document headers and page footers to reflect the bill's final 'Enrolled' status, confirming it is ready for publication as law.

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

504
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 58
May 20, 2026
D Democratic39
36 Yea 1 Nay 2
92% Yea
R Republican19
14 Yea 3 Nay 2
73% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
59
Key actions
10
Committee
10
Amendments
2
Jun 26, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Approved
lower
May 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Both Houses
lower
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 051-004-000
upper
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Do Pass Criminal Law; 009-001-000
upper
May 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Criminal Law
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 076-033-000
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-002-000
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 008-005-000
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 23 co-sponsors

Sponsors