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SB 2090

ABUSIVE WEBSITE LITIGATION ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Erica Harriss

Illinois bill establishes legal protections to prevent frivolous litigation against websites, potentially limiting plaintiffs' ability to sue online platforms for claimed harms.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2090

Legislative bill overview

SB 2090, the Abusive Website Litigation Act, is a newly filed Illinois bill sponsored by Senator Erica Harriss that addresses frivolous or abusive litigation targeting websites and online platforms. The bill aims to establish legal protections or procedural mechanisms to prevent or limit lawsuits deemed abusive against website operators. While specific provisions are not yet publicly detailed, the bill focuses on curbing litigation abuse in the digital context.

Why is this important

Website operators and online platforms face significant legal costs defending against litigation, including suits with questionable merit. This bill could affect the balance between legitimate claims against websites and the costs of defending against potentially meritless lawsuits. The outcome may impact everything from small business websites to major tech platforms, as well as individuals' ability to pursue legitimate legal claims.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition disputes: What constitutes "abusive" litigation is subjective; overly broad definitions could shield websites from legitimate accountability for harassment, discrimination, or other harmful conduct
  • Access to justice concerns: Anti-SLAPP-style protections might make it harder for individuals to sue websites for genuine wrongs, particularly for vulnerable populations
  • Scope ambiguity: Unclear whether protections apply equally to all websites or specific categories, and whether they cover different types of claims (defamation, privacy violations, discrimination, etc.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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