Relating to the Fire Policy Committee.

2025 Regular Session

Extends liability protection for those who remove snow/ice from adjacent sidewalks/parking areas, shielding them from personal injury claims unless conduct was willful or wanton.

Chapter 205, (2025 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2026.

Summary — HB 2916 (Snow and Ice Removal Act) — Illinois (2025)

Note: The materials provided include mixed/duplicate metadata for two different HB 2916 bills (an Arizona ESA-related bill and an Illinois Snow & Ice Removal Act bill). This summary addresses the Illinois Snow & Ice Removal Act language (745 ILCS 75/1 and 75/2) as introduced in Illinois HB2916 by Rep. Regan Deering on February 6, 2025.

Purpose / Intent

Clarify and broaden statutory protection from liability for persons who remove (or attempt to remove) snow and ice from sidewalks and parking areas abutting residences and businesses. The bill encourages property owners and business operators to clear snow and ice by limiting civil liability except for severe misconduct.

Key provisions

Amends Sections 1 and 2 of the Snow and Ice Removal Act (745 ILCS 75/1 and 75/2).

Reinforces public policy that owners/residents and business operators should be encouraged to clear sidewalks and parking areas of snow and ice.

Extends explicit protection to "any person in charge of any residential property or business" and agents/contractors engaged by them who remove or attempt to remove snow or ice from sidewalks or parking areas abutting the property.

Liability is barred for personal injuries allegedly caused by snowy or icy conditions resulting from the actor’s acts or omissions, unless the misconduct was willful or wanton (a higher standard than ordinary negligence).

Allows courts to award attorney’s fees to a defendant who is protected under the Act if the court determines the plaintiff’s action against that defendant was frivolous.

Who is affected

Property owners, lessors, occupants, business owners/operators, managers, agents, contractors, and employees who remove or attempt to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and parking areas adjacent to their properties.

Plaintiffs bringing personal-injury suits based on snow- or ice-related sidewalk/parking-area conditions; their suits will proceed only if they can show willful or wanton conduct.

Courts and insurers: potential changes to claim frequency, defense posture, and cost-shifting where suits are found frivolous.

Legal effect and implications

Raises the standard plaintiffs must meet (from negligence to willful/wanton misconduct) to hold those who clear snow/ice liable for injuries.

The attorney-fee provision creates a limited fee-shifting incentive to deter frivolous lawsuits against covered defendants.

Likely to reduce liability exposure for individuals and businesses who clear snow/ice, and may influence municipal enforcement/maintenance practices and insurance underwriting/pricing.

Procedural status (Illinois bill)

Introduced: February 6, 2025 (Rep. Regan Deering).

Filed with Clerk: February 5–6, 2025.

First reading and referred to Rules Committee: February 6, 2025.

Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee: March 4, 2025.

To Civil Procedure & Tort Liability Subcommittee: March 12, 2025.

Re-referred under Rule 19(a) to Rules Committee: March 21, 2025. (Refer to legislative records for any updates after these dates.)

If you want, I can:
- Compare the bill’s language to current Illinois case law on snow-and-ice liability;
- Draft a short talking points memo for stakeholders (municipalities, business associations, plaintiff/defense bar).