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SB 1265

ENVTL BARRIER-ENFORCEMENT DATA

104th Regular Session Introduced by Diane Blair-Sherlock and 1 co-sponsor

Requires the Illinois Attorney General to post annual Environmental Barriers Act enforcement data online (starting Jan 31, 2026), boosting transparency and accountability.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0089
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Bill Summary · SB 1265

SB 1265 — ENVTL BARRIER‑ENFORCEMENT DATA (Public Act 104‑0089)

Status: Enacted as Public Act 104‑0089
Introduced: Feb 13, 2025
Sponsors (IL): Sen. Karina Villa et al. (companion bills: HB 5122, HB 890)
Effective date: August 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

Amend the Environmental Barriers Act to (primarily) change the Attorney General’s annual reporting schedule and improve public access to enforcement data related to accessibility/code compliance for public facilities and multi‑story housing. The change is presented as a technical correction to the reporting deadline and schedule.

Key provisions / what the bill changes

  • Maintains the Attorney General’s existing enforcement authority under Section 6 of the Environmental Barriers Act, including the power to:

    • Investigate complaints and alleged violations;
    • Require written statements or reports under oath, examine witnesses under oath, issue subpoenas, and hold hearings;
    • Seek injunctions to halt construction/alteration or to compel compliance;
    • Bring mandamus actions;
    • Seek civil penalties and professional licensing actions; and
    • Obtain other relief, including Assurances of Voluntary Compliance.

  • Specific penalties and sanctions preserved in the Act:

    • Owners of public facilities or multi‑story housing violating the Act: up to $250 per day (each day is a separate offense).
    • Architects/engineers who negligently or intentionally certify noncompliant plans: subject to suspension, revocation, or refusal of restoration of registration/license under the applicable Illinois professional practice acts.
    • Persons who knowingly issue permits or other authorizations for construction/alteration in violation of the Act: civil penalties up to $1,000.

  • Reporting requirement (the primary amendment):

    • Previously required reports “Beginning July 31, 2020 and by July 31 of every year thereafter.”
    • Amended to require the Attorney General to post enforcement data “by January 31, 2026, and every January 31 thereafter.”
    • Required data to be posted on the Attorney General’s website must include (at minimum):
    • Total number of open compliance investigations each year;
    • The 10 most frequent complaints under investigation each year;
    • Total number of complaints received under the Act annually;
    • Assistance provided to constituents statewide on the Attorney General’s disability rights technical assistance line.

  • Clarifies that a public facility or multi‑story housing remains in violation after construction/alteration so long as it remains noncompliant.

Who is affected

  • Owners/operators of public facilities and multi‑story housing (subject to investigation and possible penalties).
  • Architects, structural engineers, and professional engineers (credential consequences for false/careless compliance certifications).
  • Local officials or others issuing building permits (possible civil penalties).
  • People with disabilities and others who file complaints — benefit from enhanced public reporting and transparency of enforcement activity.
  • Attorney General’s Office — required to compile and publish annual enforcement data and maintain enforcement functions.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Enacted as Public Act 104‑0089. Effective August 1, 2025.
  • First amended annual report is due by January 31, 2026, and on each January 31 thereafter.

Expected impact

  • Improves transparency of state enforcement activity under the Environmental Barriers Act by requiring a regular, public, standardized report.
  • May increase accountability for owners, permit issuers, and design professionals by publicizing enforcement trends and complaint volumes.
  • Strengthens ability of advocates and the public to track accessibility compliance efforts statewide.

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

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