HB 576 (Representative Katie Stuart, D-Collinsville/Senator Adriane Johnson, D-Waukegan) would create the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act and implement new safeguards intended to protect the personal privacy and physical security of public officials in Illinois. The legislation was approved by both chambers during the veto session and will next be considered by Governor Pritzker.
The amendment, filed on October 28, 2025, would prohibit governmental agencies, as well as private individuals, businesses, and associations, from publicly displaying or sharing a public official’s personal information—such as home address or contact details—once the official has submitted a written request to withhold or remove that information. Governmental agencies would be required to remove publicly available personal data within five business days of receiving such a request. Similarly, private entities or individuals that post a public official’s personal information online after receiving a written request not to do so could face court-ordered declaratory or injunctive relief and be required to pay the official’s legal costs and attorney’s fees. The legislation further creates a criminal penalty, making it a Class 3 felony to knowingly post a public official’s personal information when the disclosure poses an immediate threat to the safety of the official or their immediate family and directly causes death or bodily injury.
The amendment also amends multiple existing laws to align with its protective intent. The Freedom of Information Act would be revised to exempt public officials’ personal information from mandatory disclosure. Under the Election Code, campaign finance restrictions related to personal residence expenses would not apply to spending on personal security, security upgrades to a primary residence, or cybersecurity protection for officials and candidates. The State Board of Elections would be required to redact home addresses of current and past officers of political committees, as well as those of public officials and candidates who submit written requests. Additionally, once the objection period for nomination papers closes, a candidate who is a public official could request that their home address be redacted from those documents within five business days.
Further, the legislation amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow public officials to use their work address in place of their home or mailing address for identification cards and vehicle registrations.
Overall, this legislation represents a comprehensive attempt to balance transparency and safety by limiting public access to sensitive personal information about public officials. It responds to growing concerns about harassment, doxing, and security threats to individuals in public service while maintaining mechanisms for accountability through formal, written request processes and clearly defined redaction procedures.
According to media reports, the sponsor, Representative Stuart, postponed a constituent event in 2023 after receiving “violent threats” tied to misinformation about her all-gender bathroom bill.