SB3343 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18207 JRC 31646 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3343

Introduced 2/4/2026, by Sen. Graciela Guzmán

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

705 ILCS 95/50 new

Amends the Access to Justice Act. Creates the Remote Filing Task Force of 17 members. Creates an appointment process. Provides that the Task Force shall research and evaluate the existing ability of litigants to file court documents remotely across Illinois, including (1) identifying barriers for pro se litigants, people with a primary language other than English, people in crisis, people with disabilities, and people with low-literacy; (2) research and evaluate approaches to address any barriers identified by the Task Force to increase access and usability to remote filing for all Illinoisans; and (3) make recommendations to reduce barriers for litigants to remotely file court documents and improve access and usability of remote filing statewide. Requires that the Task Force submit a report containing its findings and any recommendations to the Supreme Court and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on October 2, 2027. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning courts.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Access to Justice Act is amended by adding Section 50 as follows:

(705 ILCS 95/50 new)

Sec. 50. Remote Court Filing Task Force.

(a) The purpose of the Remote Court Filing Task Force is to help ensure electronic or other remote means of filing court documents are user-friendly and accessible to all Illinoisans, including individuals who appear pro se. The Task Force shall pay special attention to the need for remote means of filing in times of emergency.

(b) The Task Force shall:

(1) research and evaluate the existing ability of litigants to file court documents remotely across Illinois, including identifying barriers for pro se litigants, people with a primary language other than English, people in crisis, people with disabilities, and people with low-literacy;

(2) research and evaluate approaches to address any barriers identified by the Task Force to increase access and usability for remote filing for all Illinoisans; and

(3) make recommendations to reduce barriers for litigants to remotely file court documents and improve access and usability of remote filing statewide.

(c) The Remote Filing Task Force is created. The Task Force shall be composed of 17 members appointed as follows:

(1) one member of the Illinois Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) one member of the Illinois Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(3) one member of the Illinois House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker;

(4) one member of the Illinois House of Representatives, appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(5) a representative from the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;

(6) a representative of the Supreme Court appointed by the Supreme Court;

(7) 10 members appointed by the Supreme Court, including:

(A) a representative of an association that represents attorneys statewide;

(B) a representative of an association that represents attorneys of a county with a population of more than 5,000,000 people;

(C) a representative of a legal aid organization serving people experiencing poverty serving a community of over 5,000,000 people;

(D) a representative of a legal aid organization serving people experiencing poverty with a service area of multiple counties;

(E) 2 representatives of a statewide association representing court clerks;

(F) a current or retired State court judge;

(G) a representative of a domestic violence partner organization of direct service providers that administers the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline;

(H) a representative of an organization that advocates on behalf of people with disabilities; and

(I) a representative of an organization that advocates on behalf of immigrant families.

(d) Members must be adult residents of Illinois and serve without compensation.

(e) Appointments shall be made 30 days from the effective date of this Act.

(f) The Task Force shall elect co-chairs from its membership who have the authority to determine meeting schedules, hearing schedules, and agendas.

(g) The circuit court clerks shall provide any relevant data requested to the Task Force related to its duties.

(h) The Task Force shall submit a report containing its findings and any recommendations to the Supreme Court and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027.

(i) At the direction of the Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall provide administrative support to the Task Force including providing requested data. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts may collaborate with any member of the Task Force or the organization that the member represents to help provide any necessary staff support.

(j) Dissolution of Task Force. The Task Force is dissolved on October 2, 2027.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.