SB 1939 Illinois Senate · 104th Regular Session

MOTOR VEHICLE FRANCHISE-SALES

Summary

Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, or other specified entity to distribute new motor vehicles directly to consumers or to circumvent franchise distribution obligations under the Act. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for any manufacturer with an established franchise dealer network in the State to engage in the sale, lease, or servicing of new motor vehicles in a manner that bypasses or competes with the manufacturer's existing franchisee network. Makes conforming and other changes. Defines terms.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 10, 2025 Last action Jun 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify definitions and expand protections for existing franchise dealers. The changes remove ambiguous language regarding corporate entities and add specific definitions for 'factory repurchase vehicles' and 'late model vehicles' to prevent manufacturers from bypassing franchise rules by selling these specific cars directly to consumers.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act, but the applicability is tightened by explicitly defining which vehicles are subject to franchise restrictions and clarifying which corporate structures count as manufacturers.

DEFINITION

Removed complex language about parent companies and affiliates from the 'Manufacturer' definition to eliminate ambiguity about who is subject to the law.

Added a new definition for 'Factory repurchase vehicle' to ensure cars bought back from fleets or returned due to defects are still sold through franchise dealers.

Added a new definition for 'Late model vehicle' to clarify that current and recent model year cars must be sold through established franchise networks.

Added a new definition for 'Person' to explicitly include officers and directors in active control of corporate entities.

Expanded the definition of 'Fraud' to include intentional failures to disclose material facts and promises not made in good faith.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

54–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 58

Apr 10, 2025

D Democratic39

36 Yea 3

92% Yea

R Republican19

18 Yea 1

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Re-assigned to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

lower

May 9, 2025

Committee

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

lower

Apr 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Arrived in House

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Villivalam

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Villivalam

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Judiciary; 008-000-000

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Judiciary; 008-000-000

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Judiciary

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Committee

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Introduced

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Do Pass Judiciary; 009-000-000

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Judiciary

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

2 primary · 18 co-sponsors