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HB 2914

PUBLICATION-NOTICES-NEWSPAPERS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Diane Blair-Sherlock and 11 co-sponsors

Allows certain Illinois local governments to publish required legal notices on official sites instead of newspapers, with accessibility, retention, and free copies on request.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2914

HB 2914 — PUBLICATION-NOTICES-NEWSPAPERS

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (Introduced Feb 18, 2025). Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne M. Ness (with multiple co‑sponsors). Companion: SB 1229.

Purpose / Intent

To authorize certain local government entities to publish legally required public notices on their official websites instead of in newspapers, and to update the Notice By Publication Act and the Newspaper Legal Notice Act accordingly. The change aims to modernize notice delivery and specify technical and accessibility requirements for online publication.

Key provisions

  • Applies to governmental units, community college districts, and school districts located in counties with fewer than 3,000,000 residents.
  • When law, court order, or contract requires publication in a newspaper, the eligible entity may instead publish the notice on its official government website.
  • Service-level agreement (SLA): the entity or website host must contract with an Internet service provider guaranteeing the site is publicly accessible at least 98% of the time (24/7/365).
  • Notice index page: the entity’s official website must prominently link to an index page listing all current legal notices with links to full text. The index must include a search function and other accessibility features.
  • Free paper copies: if an individual cannot access an electronic publication, the issuing entity must provide a copy at no charge.
  • Retention: notices must remain available on the website at least until the last posting date required by law has expired or until the event described in the notice has occurred, whichever is later.
  • Repeal: removes the statutory requirement that newspapers publishing legal notices must place those notices at no extra cost on the statewide repository site maintained jointly by Illinois newspapers.
  • Conforming amendments to the Newspaper Legal Notice Act.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Local governmental units, community college districts, and school districts in counties with populations under 3,000,000 (most Illinois counties).
  • Newspapers that currently publish legal notices — potential reduction in publication volume and related revenue where entities shift to online notices.
  • Residents relying on legal notices — will have online access but protections (free copies for those who cannot access electronically) are required.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Cost savings and administrative ease for local entities that move notices online.
  • Concerns about digital access and equity: the bill requires free paper copies on request and web accessibility features/SLA to mitigate access issues.
  • Impact on local newspapers’ revenue streams and on the statewide notice repository (statutory role removed).
  • Legal notice validity preserved under the new online process if statutory conditions are met.

Legislative progress

Introduced Feb 18, 2025; multiple committee referrals, hearings, and reports between March and April 2025 (see record for detailed chronology). Current procedural status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee.

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

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