Illinois HB 4557: DIGITAL FORGERIES IN POLITICS

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
State of Illinois 
2025 and 2026
HB4557

Introduced 1/30/2026, by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

 Creates the Digital Forgeries in Politics Act. Provides that an individual depicted in a digital forgery who is an Illinois resident and a candidate for office in this State has a cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, or enters into an agreement with another person to distribute, a digital forgery if: (1) the distribution occurs within 90 days before a regular election; and (2) the distribution is reasonably likely to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election. Sets forth exceptions. Allows a court to issue a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease the display or distribution of the digital forgery. Includes additional awards to a prevailing plaintiff.

LRB104 16403 JRC 29793 b

A BILL FOR

HB4557LRB104 16403 JRC 29793 b

1 AN ACT concerning civil law.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 

3represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 

5Digital Forgeries in Politics Act.

6 Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

7 "Digital forgery" means any audio or visual material that 

8has been created, materially manipulated, altered, or 

9annotated to appear to be a realistic record of an act, speech, 

10conduct, absence, or appearance of an individual that a 

11reasonable person would incorrectly believe to be a true 

12depiction of that individual and that falsely depicts an 

13individual engaged in speech or conduct in which the depicted 

14individual did not engage.

15 "Regular ele