Illinois · House Bill 4557 · 104th General Assembly

DIGITAL FORGERIES IN POLITICS

HB 4557 Sponsored by Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz In committee

  1. Introduced Jan 23, 2026
  2. In committee Jan 30, 2026
  3. Passed the House Next
  4. Passed the Senate  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Creates the Digital Forgeries in Politics Act. Provides that an individual depicted in a digital forgery who is an Illinois resident and a candidate for office in this State has a cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, or enters into an agreement with another person to distribute, a digital forgery if: (1) the distribution occurs within 90 days before a regular election; and (2) the…

Read the full title (122 words)

Creates the Digital Forgeries in Politics Act. Provides that an individual depicted in a digital forgery who is an Illinois resident and a candidate for office in this State has a cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, or enters into an agreement with another person to distribute, a digital forgery if: (1) the distribution occurs within 90 days before a regular election; and (2) the distribution is reasonably likely to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election. Sets forth exceptions. Allows a court to issue a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease the display or distribution of the digital forgery. Includes additional awards to a prevailing plaintiff.

Every action

6 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

  1. HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
  2. HouseFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee · House Judiciary - Civil
  5. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
  6. CommitteeRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules

Roll calls

No recorded votes on this bill yet.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 1 cosponsor: 1 Democrat.

All 1 cosponsor

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.