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Bill

HB 4209

CRIM CD-PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dan Ugaste

Illinois bill establishing criminal liability for parents based on minor children's actions; currently in Rules Committee review.

Referred to Rules Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4209

Legislative bill overview

HB 4209 proposes to establish or modify criminal code provisions related to parental responsibility in Illinois. The bill was introduced by Rep. Dan Ugaste and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having just received its first reading and been referred to the Rules Committee in January 2026.

Why is this important

Parental responsibility laws directly affect how families are held accountable for minors' actions and can have significant consequences for both parents and children. Such legislation can influence juvenile justice outcomes, family law, and the balance between parental liability and minor culpability in the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of liability: Whether parents should be held criminally responsible for actions they cannot directly control or prevent
  • Age thresholds and exceptions: Determining at what ages parental responsibility should apply and what circumstances might exempt parents
  • Relationship to existing civil liability: How criminal parental responsibility statutes interact with existing civil liability laws for parental negligence

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

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