Illinois · House Resolution 211 · 104th General Assembly

BENIN BRONZES-REPATRIATION

HR 211 Sponsored by Carol Ammons Adopted

  1. Introduced Mar 25, 2025
  2. In committee Mar 26, 2025
  3. Adopted by the House May 25, 2026

What it does

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

Acknowledges and condemns the historical injustice associated with the original creation of the Benin Bronzes, the subsequent British acquisition and distribution of the relics, and the current possession of the Benin Bronzes by museums and collectors who are unwilling to share the relics with the heirs of the enslaved people who paid for them with their lives and the heirs of the Benin Kingdom slave traders. Urges…

Read the full title (199 words)

Acknowledges and condemns the historical injustice associated with the original creation of the Benin Bronzes, the subsequent British acquisition and distribution of the relics, and the current possession of the Benin Bronzes by museums and collectors who are unwilling to share the relics with the heirs of the enslaved people who paid for them with their lives and the heirs of the Benin Kingdom slave traders. Urges the following steps be taken in regard to the Benin Bronzes: (1) an official request for the return and sharing of the Benin Bronzes, (2) the establishment of the Repatriation Committee, (3) the formation of an inventory and comprehensive documentation, (4) the development of a decision-making process, (5) the development of a sharing framework, (6) the collection of resale royalties, (7) the allocation of adequate resources from museum exhibit, loan, and resale royalty fees, (8) the initiation of programs and initiatives to bring heirs of the enslaved and the Benin Kingdom together for healing and reconciliation, and (9) the cooperation of heirs. Urges all nations, stakeholder museums, and collectors to support and adhere to this resolution, recognizing the importance of equitable sharing, redress, and healing in the context of the Benin Bronzes.

Every action

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

Show the 11 earlier steps
  1. HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Carol Ammons
  2. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  3. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment · House Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain
  5. HouseRemoved Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet
  6. CommitteeRule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  7. CommitteeAssigned to Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment · House Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain
  8. HouseMotion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment; Rep. Robyn Gabel
  9. HouseMotion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 072-037-000
  10. CommitteeRecommends Be Adopted Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment; 008-003-000 · House Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain
  11. HousePlaced on Calendar Order of Resolutions
  1. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
  2. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
  3. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
  4. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
  5. HouseResolution Adopted
  6. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
  7. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis
  8. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis

Roll calls

1 recorded vote: 0 on the floor, 1 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Committee votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Apr 16, 2026 House Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain - Recommends Be Adopted
Members

Yes · 8

No · 3

Not voting · 1

 Passed 8–3

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 7 cosponsors: 7 Democrats.

All 7 cosponsors

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.