Illinois 104th Regular Session Status: Passed House 5 D cosponsors

HB 5486 — STUDY-GENEALOGIC AFFAIR OFFICE

Last action — Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 06, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    2 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill establishes a study for a genealogic affairs office.

This bill proposes a study to explore the creation of a genealogic affairs office. The goal is to assess the implications and needs related to genealogical research.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

95 added · 109 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 5486 adds specific qualifications for the members of the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Commission, detailing their areas of expertise such as anthropology, archival studies, and data governance. It also includes new roles for community leaders and a public health professional. These changes are significant because they ensure that the commission is composed of individuals with relevant skills and knowledge, which will enhance its effectiveness in examining and establishing a permanent Office of Genealogical Affairs. This office aims to provide important genealogical services and support historical accountability efforts, making these qualifications critical for achieving its goals.

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*LRB10417770TRT31202b* HB5486 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois and 2026 HB5486 Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep.
HB5486 Engrossed LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b AN ACT concerning State government.
Carol Ammons SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act Provides that the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee shall have the following duties:
(1) to examine the feasibility, scope, and structure of a permanent Office of Genealogical Affairs within the State government;
(2) to examine how an Office of Genealogical Affairs could operationalize reparative genealogical services;
(3) to examine how an Office of Genealogical Affairs could support forensic and historical accountability efforts;
and (4) to examine how an Office of Genealogical Affairs could support administrative genealogical determinations.
Provides that the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than 18 months after the effective date of the Act.
Effective immediately.
LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b A BILL FOR HB5486 LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b AN ACT concerning State government.
This Act may be cited as the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee Act.
This Act may be cited as the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Commission Act.
(3) Illinois recognizes genealogical access as a public service and democratic good through its archival, records preservation, and genealogical programs, and it HB5486 - 2 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b recognizes family identity as a legally protected interest for the purposes of adoption, parentage, and child welfare law.
(3) Illinois recognizes genealogical access as a public service and democratic good through its archival, records preservation, and genealogical programs, and it HB5486 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b recognizes family identity as a legally protected interest for the purposes of adoption, parentage, and child welfare law.
Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee.
Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Commission.
(a) The Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee is created.
(a) The Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Commission is created.
(1) 11 public members appointed by the Governor with HB5486 - 3 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b specialties in the following areas or with following expertise:
(1) 10 public members appointed by the Governor with HB5486 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b specialties in the following areas or with the following expertise:
(A) anthropology and population genetics genealogy;
(A) expertise in anthropology and population genetics genealogy;
(B) biological anthropology;
(B) expertise in biological anthropology;
(C) cultural anthropology;
(C) expertise in cultural anthropology;
(D) an archivist;
(D) specialty in archival studies;
(E) a historian;
(E) specialty in historical studies;
(F) a certified genealogist;
(F) specialty in genealogy;
and (G) a psycho-social or psycho-mental health professional;
(G) specialty in psycho-social or psycho-mental health;
and (H) specialty in data governance, privacy, and security;
(3) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;
(3) one public health professional from a nongovernmental organization or academic institution appointed by the Governor;
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(4) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;
(5) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(5) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(6) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(6) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
and (7) 4 ex-officio members:
(7) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(A) the Secretary of State, or the Secretary's designee;
and HB5486 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b (8) 3 ex officio members:
(B) the Director of Public Health, or the Director's designee;
(A) the Secretary of State, as the State Archivist, or the Secretary's designee;
HB5486 - 4 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b (C) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee;
and (B) the Director of the Illinois State Archives, or the Director's designee.
and (D) the Director of the Illinois State Archives, or the Director's designee.
(C) a Director of the Illinois State Genealogical Society or a Director's designee.
(b) Each Committee member shall serve for a term of 2 years, or until his or successor is appointed, except in the case of initial appoints who shall serve 2 years from the effective date of this Act.
(b) Commission members appointed under paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (a) shall co-chair the Commission.
(c) The Committee shall meet monthly beginning in August, 2026.
(c) Each Commission member shall serve for a term of 2 years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, except in the case of initial appointees who shall serve for a period of 2 years after the effective date of this Act.
(d) Beginning August 2026, the Commission shall meet monthly, whether in-person or virtually, or as called by the co-chairs of the Commission.
(a) The Committee shall have the following duties:
(a) The Commission shall have the following duties:
(3) to examine how an Office of Genealogical Affairs could support forensic and historical accountability efforts;
(3) to examine how an Office of Genealogical Affairs HB5486 Engrossed - 5 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b could support forensic and historical accountability efforts;
(b) The Committee may employ skilled experts with the approval of the chairperson, and shall receive the cooperation of those State agencies it deems appropriate to assist the HB5486 - 5 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b Committee in carrying out its duties.
(b) The Commission may engage with experts with the approval of the chairperson or co-chairs and shall receive the cooperation of those State agencies it deems appropriate to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties.
(c) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Archives, and the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission, shall provide administrative and other support to the Committee.
(c) The Commission may consult with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Archives, and the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission to provide information or related data to support the Commission's work.
No later than 18 months after the effective date of this Act, the Study Committee shall prepare a report to the Governor and the General Assembly, which shall include, but is not limited to:
No later than 20 months after the effective date of this Act, the Commission shall prepare a report to the Governor and the General Assembly, which shall include, but shall not be limited to:
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(3) ethical, legal, and data-governance frameworks for genealogical and genetic genealogy services;
(3) an ethical, legal, and data-governance framework for genealogical and genetic genealogy services;
(4) the estimated costs, funding mechanisms, and interagency coordination needs;
HB5486 Engrossed - 6 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b (4) a description of the estimated costs, funding mechanisms, and interagency coordination needs;
and (5) the options for pilot programs and statewide scaling.
and (5) a description of the options for pilot programs and statewide scaling.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate genetic testing, limit access to existing genealogical services, or authorize the use of genealogical HB5486 - 6 - LRB104 17770 TRT 31202 b data for surveillance or for law enforcement purposes.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate genetic testing, limit access to existing genealogical services, or authorize the use of genealogical data for surveillance or for law enforcement purposes.
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Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

  2. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026

  3. Assigned to Appropriations

  4. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026

  5. Referred to Assignments

  6. First Reading

  7. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons

  8. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

  9. Arrive in Senate

  10. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 074-034-000

  11. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted

  12. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

  13. Second Reading - Short Debate

  14. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 003-001-000

  15. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 003-001-000

  16. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

  17. Third Reading Deadline Extended-Rule May 31, 2026

  18. Approved for Consideration Rules Committee; 003-001-000

  19. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

  20. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

  21. Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

  22. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 004-000-000

  23. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

  24. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Carol Ammons

  25. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter

  26. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

  27. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

  28. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper

  29. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted State Government Administration Committee; 006-003-000

  30. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to State Government Administration Committee

  31. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

  32. Second Reading - Short Debate

  33. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

  34. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Carol Ammons

  35. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

  36. Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 006-003-000

  37. Assigned to State Government Administration Committee

  38. Referred to Rules Committee

  39. First Reading

  40. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Carol Ammons

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 177 not signed on · 34 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (177)

177 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 177 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading

Passed 74 Yea · 34 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 67004
Unaffiliated 6100
Republican 03306
Total 7334010
% of votes cast 62%29%0%9%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Du Buclet — Yea
Faver Dias — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Yea
Katz Muhl — Yea
La Ha — Nay
Williams, Jawaharial — Yea
Yang Rohr — Yea
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Yea
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anne Stava Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Not Voting
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Yea
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Not Voting
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Yea
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Yea
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Justin Cochran Democrat Yea
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Not Voting
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Yea
Margaret A. DeLaRosa Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Not Voting
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Yea
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Amy L. Grant Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Not Voting
Bradley Fritts Republican Not Voting
Brandun Schweizer Republican Not Voting
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Chris Miller Republican Nay
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
Dave Severin Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Dennis Tipsword Republican Nay
Jackie Haas Republican Nay
Jason R. Bunting Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Jeff Keicher Republican Nay
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Nay
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Nay
John M. Cabello Republican Not Voting
Kevin Schmidt Republican Not Voting
Kyle Moore Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Norine K. Hammond Republican Nay
Patrick Sheehan Republican Nay
Patrick Windhorst Republican Nay
Paul Jacobs Republican Nay
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Not Voting
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Nay
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Nay
William E Hauter Republican Nay

Official roll call →

State Government Administration, Amendment 1

Passed 6 Yea · 3 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 6000
Republican 0300
Total 6300
% of votes cast 67%33%0%0%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay

Official roll call →

State Government Administration

Passed 6 Yea · 3 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 6000
Republican 0300
Total 6300
% of votes cast 67%33%0%0%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5486?
HB 5486 is sponsored by Carol Ammons (Democrat), Sonya M. Harper (Democrat), Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (Democrat), La Shawn K. Ford (Democrat), Justin Slaughter (Democrat), and Simmons, Mike.
What is the current status of HB 5486?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 06, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 5486?
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