Illinois 104th General Assembly Status: To Executive 7 D cosponsors

HB4540      — POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS

Last action — Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0613

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 22, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

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

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (7 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 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 addresses court procedures for companion animal custody disputes.

This bill allows courts to consider the well-being of companion animals in possession disputes. It provides guidelines for issuing custody orders and encourages mediation to resolve conflicts.

What this means for you
  • Families: Families involved in custody disputes may find courts considering their pets' welfare in decisions.

Summary

Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB4540 on the official Illinois source →

Action History

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0613

  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

  3. Governor Approved

  4. Sent to the Governor

  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

  6. Passed Both Houses

  7. Third Reading - Passed; 052-007-000

  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

  9. Second Reading

  10. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

  11. Do Pass Judiciary; 008-000-000

  12. Assigned to Judiciary

  13. Referred to Assignments

  14. First Reading

  15. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes

  16. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

  17. Arrive in Senate

  18. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 072-038-000

  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

  20. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

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

  22. Second Reading - Short Debate

  23. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez

  24. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava

  25. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz

  26. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.

  27. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran

  28. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000

  29. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

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

  31. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez

  32. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar

  33. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

  34. Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000

  35. Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

  36. Referred to Rules Committee

  37. First Reading

  38. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 174 not signed on · 44 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (174)

174 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 174 →

"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 52 Yea · 7 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 12700
Democrat 38000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 51700
% of votes cast 88%12%0%0%
How each member voted (58)
Member Party Vote
Johnson — Yea
Bill Cunningham Democrat Yea
Celina Villanueva Democrat Yea
Christopher Belt Democrat Yea
Cristina Castro Democrat Yea
David Koehler Democrat Yea
Doris Turner Democrat Yea
Elgie R. Sims, Jr. Democrat Yea
Graciela Guzmán Democrat Yea
Javier L. Cervantes Democrat Yea
Julie A. Morrison Democrat Yea
Karina Villa Democrat Yea
Kimberly A. Lightford Democrat Yea
Lakesia Collins Democrat Yea
Laura Ellman Democrat Yea
Laura Fine Democrat Yea
Laura M. Murphy Democrat Yea
Linda Holmes Democrat Yea
Mark L. Walker Democrat Yea
Mary Edly-Allen Democrat Yea
Mattie Hunter Democrat Yea
Meg Loughran Cappel Democrat Yea
Michael E. Hastings Democrat Yea
Michael W. Halpin Democrat Yea
Mike Porfirio Democrat Yea
Mike Simmons Democrat Yea
Napoleon Harris III Democrat Yea
Omar Aquino Democrat Yea
Patrick J. Joyce Democrat Yea
Paul Faraci Democrat Yea
Rachel Ventura Democrat Yea
Ram Villivalam Democrat Yea
Robert F. Martwick Democrat Yea
Robert Peters Democrat Yea
Sara Feigenholtz Democrat Yea
Steve Stadelman Democrat Yea
Suzy Glowiak Hilton Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Willie Preston Democrat Yea
Andrew S. Chesney Republican Yea
Chapin Rose Republican Nay
Chris Balkema Republican Yea
Craig Wilcox Republican Yea
Dale Fowler Republican Nay
Darby A. Hills Republican Yea
Dave Syverson Republican Nay
Donald P. DeWitte Republican Yea
Erica Harriss Republican Yea
Jason Plummer Republican Yea
Jil Tracy Republican Yea
John F. Curran Republican Yea
Li Arellano, Jr. Republican Nay
Neil Anderson Republican Nay
Sally J. Turner Republican Nay
Seth Lewis Republican Yea
Steve McClure Republican Yea
Sue Rezin Republican Yea
Terri Bryant Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Third Reading

Passed 72 Yea · 38 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 69006
Republican 03702
Unaffiliated 2100
Total 713808
% of votes cast 61%32%0%7%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Jacobs — Nay
Johnson — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — 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 Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Not Voting
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Not Voting
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
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Not Voting
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Jawaharial Williams 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
Kimberly Du Buclet Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
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 Not Voting
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl 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 Not Voting
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Nay
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Brandun Schweizer Republican Nay
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 Nay
Kevin Schmidt Republican Nay
Kyle Moore Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Nicole La Ha Republican Nay
Norine K. Hammond Republican Nay
Patrick Sheehan Republican Nay
Patrick Windhorst Republican Nay
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Nay
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting
William E Hauter Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Judiciary

Passed 13 Yea · 7 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 13000
Republican 0700
Total 13700
% of votes cast 65%35%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Judiciary

Passed 13 Yea · 7 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 13000
Republican 0700
Total 13700
% of votes cast 65%35%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB4540      do?
Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.
Who sponsors HB4540     ?
HB4540      is sponsored by Linda Holmes, Sara Feigenholtz, Barbara Hernandez (Democrat), Dagmara Avelar (Democrat), Justin Cochran (Democrat), Edgar González, Jr. (Democrat), Aarón M. Ortíz (Democrat), Anne Stava (Democrat), and Norma Hernandez (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB4540     ?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 22, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB4540     ?
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