Bill
HB 2774
Creates a single statewide 24/7 multilingual Domestic Violence Hotline led by a nonprofit, for information/referrals and coordinated access to domestic violence services.
Status and effective date
- Enacted as Public Act 104-0247. Governor approved: August 15, 2025. Effective date: January 1, 2026.
- Bill introduced February 13, 2025; passed both chambers and completed post-session actions listed in the legislative history.
Purpose
- Amend the Domestic Violence Shelters Act to require the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide a single, easy-to-use, statewide telephone number that gives public access to information and referrals for domestic violence services (the “Domestic Violence Hotline”).
Key provisions
- DHS responsibility and contracting: DHS is responsible for providing the single statewide hotline number and is authorized to identify and contract with a “lead entity” (an Illinois 501(c)(3) non‑profit) to govern, design, implement, support and coordinate the statewide Domestic Violence Hotline system. Before awarding the contract, DHS must ensure the lead entity has organizational capacity to perform the work.
- Defined service scope: “Domestic violence services” is defined to include information and referral services provided through the Hotline; callers can include victims, perpetrators, friends/family, and first responders.
- Lead entity qualifications (selected highlights):
- Provide statewide, toll‑free, 24/7, multilingual, confidential referral services.
- At least 2 years’ record of providing victim‑centered domestic violence referral services prior to the Act’s effective date.
- Be an Illinois 501(c)(3) and able to provide an independent audit at application.
- Ensure 24‑hour telephone accessibility by personnel trained in domestic violence (no requirement for victims to call back or wait for return calls).
- Provide three‑way phone linkage to DHS‑funded domestic violence providers for direct referrals.
- Adequate staffing to refer to both traditional and non‑traditional services, offer safety planning, serve remote and non‑English speakers, and use up‑to‑date tech to improve access for deaf and hard‑of‑hearing individuals.
- Demonstrated expertise/experience in planning statewide information/referral systems; staff/volunteer training requirement (40 hours).
- Reporting and data: The lead entity must collect information on demand/delivery of services and provide periodic programmatic and fiscal reports to DHS.
- Funding: The Act expressly does not limit potential funding sources to support Hotline operations.
Who is affected
- Survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence, their families and friends, first responders, DHS and DHS‑funded provider network, qualified non‑profit organizations that might serve as the lead entity, and populations requiring language or accessibility accommodations (including deaf/hard‑of‑hearing and remote/rural residents).
Potential impact
- Centralizes public access to domestic violence referrals through a single statewide hotline and aims to standardize and expand access (24/7, multilingual, accessible technologies).
- Formalizes oversight, reporting, and minimum operational standards for any contracted lead entity, potentially improving coordination across DHS‑funded providers and statewide service planning.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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