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SB 1272

SB 1272 - This act creates the "Act Against Abusive and Predatory Website Access Litigation". The Attorney General, on behalf of a class of residents of this state, or any resident of this state who is subject to litigation that alleges any website access violation may file a civil action against the party, attorney, or law firm that initiated such litigation for a determination as to whether such litigation alleging a website access violation is abusive litigation. In determining whether such litigation is abusive, the trier of fact shall consider the totality of the circumstances to determine if the primary purpose of the litigation was to obtain a payment from the defendant due to the costs of defending the action in court. The act describes the factors to be considered in making this determination. If the defendant in a website access violation case attempts to correct the alleged violation within 30 days of being provided notice, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the subsequent initiation or continuance of litigation constitutes abusive litigation. Such presumption shall not exist if the alleged violation is not corrected within 90 days under circumstances described in the act. If the Attorney General determines that the website access litigation is not abusive, then there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the litigation is not abusive. The court may award attorney's fees to the party defending against the abusive litigation. The court may also award punitive damages or sanctions not to exceed three times the amount of attorney's fees awarded by the court. If the U.S. Department of Justice issues standards concerning website accessibility under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the provisions of this act shall expire. This act is identical to HB 2056 (2026), is substantially similar to SB 907 (2026), HB 1674 (2026), HB 1755 (2026), HB 1780 (2026), HB 1842 (2026), HB 2150 (2026), and HB 2312 (2026), and is similar to SB 1154 (2026) and HB 1694 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Curtis Trent

Authorizes municipalities to install and maintain a specialized traffic control device near fire stations or at intersections to aid emergency vehicles entering or leaving roadways

Hearing Conducted S General Laws Committee
0
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Bill Summary · SB 1272

SB 1272 — VEH CD — Specialized Traffic Control Device (Summary)

Status (as provided)
- Bill number: SB 1272
- Title: VEH CD — SPECIAL TRAFFIC DEVICE
- Current status: Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments
- Introduced: February 13, 2025 (bill documents show introduction in Jan/Feb 2025)
- Sponsor(s): Sen. Adriane Johnson (primary sponsor listed in bill text); other sponsors listed in materials include Fevella.
- Related/companion: HB 1871 (companion)

Overview / Purpose
- SB 1272 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by adding a new Section 11‑306.1 (625 ILCS 5/11‑306.1 new) to authorize municipalities or local governments to install and maintain a “specialized traffic control device” intended to assist emergency response vehicles (for example, fire apparatus, EMS units) when entering or leaving the roadway from a station or similar facility.

Key provisions
- Authorization: A municipality or other local unit of government may erect and maintain a specialized traffic control device:
- at an intersection where an emergency response vehicle enters the roadway; or
- within 1,000 feet of a structure where emergency response vehicles are stored (e.g., a fire station).
- Control: The specialized traffic control device may be controlled by the emergency response unit or fire station as the emergency response vehicle enters or exits traffic.
- Placement/operation authority is added to the Vehicle Code (new statutory subsection) — the bill text is concise and focused on permitting such devices.

Who/what is affected
- Municipalities and local governments: may adopt and install these devices and will be responsible for their maintenance and operation.
- Emergency response units and fire stations: can directly control the device to facilitate safe entry to or exit from public roadways.
- Motorists and roadway users: will encounter new, localized traffic control devices that may change normal traffic flow when activated.
- Local budgets and public safety operations: potential costs for device purchase, installation, maintenance, and training/operations.

Potential impacts and considerations
- Public safety: intended to improve safety for emergency vehicles entering/exiting traffic and potentially reduce response time and collision risk.
- Implementation: municipalities will need policies, technical standards, and training for authorized control of devices; interagency coordination and local ordinances or resolutions will likely be required.
- Regulatory alignment: municipalities will need to ensure these devices comply with applicable state and federal traffic-control standards (e.g., MUTCD considerations), avoid driver confusion, and manage liability/recordkeeping.
- Costs: purchase, installation, power, maintenance, and potential liability/insurance impacts will be local responsibilities unless other funding sources are provided.

Procedural notes
- Bill text appears as an addition to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5).
- Status indicates committee and procedural activity (Rule 3‑9(a) / re‑referred to Assignments). No general effective date is shown in the provided materials; typical effective date would be specified in enrolled legislation if passed.

If you want, I can:
- Extract exact statutory language from the introduced text and format it for circulation;
- Produce a short municipal checklist (technical, legal, budgetary steps) for local governments considering adopting such devices.

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

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