HB4722 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

WILL DEPOSITORY-CIRCUIT CLERK
Last Action
4/14/2026 - House: Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-000-000
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
705 ILCS 105/16.2 new  
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Clerks of Court Act. Authorizes a circuit court clerk of any county to develop and maintain a will depository. Provides a procedure for the clerk to accept for safekeeping a testamentary instrument executed in compliance with the Probate Act of 1975, including a will, codicil, trust, or trust and one or more trust amendments. Allows a depositor to deposit a will with the clerk if the depositor certifies in writing that the depositor is unable to locate the testator after a diligent search. Creates a procedure for the clerk to follow in accepting, keeping, and returning these documents. Allows the clerk to charge a fee of $25 for each will deposited, and the clerk may not collect a separate fee for additional documents concurrently deposited in relation to a single testator or for a single joint will prepared for a husband and wife.

House Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts provisions of the bill with these changes. Authorizes a circuit court clerk of any county to develop and maintain a will depository. Provides a procedure for the clerk to accept for safekeeping a will that is defined as a document intended to be a testamentary instrument. Defines "depositor" as the person who is delivering the will for deposit and includes the testator, who is a resident in the county where the will is being deposited or a person authorized by court order. Creates a procedure for the clerk to follow in accepting, keeping, and returning these documents. Allows the clerk to charge a fee of up to $25 for each will deposited, and the clerk may not collect a separate fee for additional documents concurrently deposited in relation to a single testator or for a single joint will prepared for a husband and wife. During the lifetime of the testator, the clerk may release the deposited will only to the testator in person upon proof of identity or pursuant to an order. Makes other changes.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/30/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
2/06/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/06/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
2/17/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
2/18/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley
2/18/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
2/19/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
2/24/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis
2/24/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
2/27/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
2/27/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
3/18/2026HouseAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
3/19/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
3/25/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter
3/25/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
3/25/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
3/26/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
3/26/2026HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000
3/27/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/31/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
3/31/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
4/07/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee
4/08/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 020-000-000
4/10/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
4/14/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/14/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-000-000
4/14/2026HouseMotion Filed to Reconsider Vote Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez