SB 2741 Illinois Senate · 104th Regular Session

CRIM CD-HATE CRIME&HARASSMENT

Summary

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Combines harassment by telephone and harassment through electronic communications into one statute. Provides that a person also commits the offense by knowingly making any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal with the intent to harass another and that comment, request, suggestion, or proposal is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, that would cause a reasonable person emotional distress and does cause emotional distress to another.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 15, 2026 Last action Jun 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to combine two separate harassment statutes into one unified framework, removing the 'Hate Crime' classification and replacing it with specific provisions for harassment by telephone and harassment through electronic communications. The changes clarify the definition of harassment to include causing emotional distress and add protections for minors, while also updating liability rules for internet service providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a broad 'Hate Crime' statute covering various offenses motivated by bias to a focused set of statutes specifically targeting harassment via telephone and electronic means.

SCOPE

Removed the 'Hate Crime' classification and its associated felony sentencing tiers and mandatory educational program requirements for offenders.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Harassment by telephone' and 'Harassment through electronic communications' that include causing emotional distress and targeting minors under 13.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the liability rules for telecommunications and internet service providers, limiting their responsibility to cases involving willful and wanton misconduct.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill text to merge previously separate sections into a single cohesive act and updated the effective date references.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2026

How they voted

55–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 58

Apr 15, 2026

D Democratic39

36 Yea 3

92% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 2, 2026

Committee

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

lower

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 014-000-000

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Committee

Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Introduced

Arrived in House

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Do Pass as Amended Criminal Law; 009-000-000

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes

upper

Mar 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Assigned to Criminal Law

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

2 primary · 16 co-sponsors