104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4475
 
Introduced 1/20/2026, by Rep. Justin Slaughter
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new
725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new
    Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711 as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court and on a pro bono basis, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to alter the legal status of animals as a unique class of personal property.


LRB104 16266 RLC 29650 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB4475LRB104 16266 RLC 29650 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is 
5amended by adding Article 113A as follows:
 
6    (725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new)
7
ARTICLE 113A.  SPECIAL ADVOCATES

 
8    (725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new)
9    Sec. 113A-1. Special advocates.
10    (a) In a prosecution of a criminal case involving the 
11injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on 
12its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed 
13attorney-at-law of this State or a law student authorized to 
14provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711 as a special 
15advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the 
16court and on a pro bono basis, and represent the interests of 
17justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog.
18    (b) The advocate may: 
19        (1) monitor the case; 
20        (2) consult any person with information that could aid 
21    the court and review records relating to the condition of 
22    the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but 
 
 
HB4475- 2 -LRB104 16266 RLC 29650 b

1    not limited to, records from animal control officers, 
2    veterinarians, and police officers; 
3        (3) attend hearings; and 
4        (4) present information or recommendations to the 
5    court pertinent to determinations that relate to the 
6    interests of justice, provided that information shall be 
7    based solely on the duties undertaken under this 
8    subsection (b). 
9    (c) Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 104th General 
10Assembly shall be construed to alter the legal status of 
11animals as a unique class of personal property.