HB0689 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 13261 LNS 18605 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0689

Introduced 2/8/2021, by Rep. Deanne M. Mazzochi

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

735 ILCS 5/2-619

from Ch. 110, par. 2-619

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a motion for dismissal of an action, supported by an affidavit, may be filed on the grounds that the claim asserted is unenforceable because: (A) the claim was filed for the purposes of securing an unfair business advantage unrelated to the underlying claim; (B) the claim was filed in retaliation for, or in an effort to suppress, a party engaged in political speech or activity; or (C) in any claim filed by any unit of government, the facts alleged are based in whole or in part on an anonymous complainant and: (i) the anonymous complainant providing the factual allegations is not revealed; or (ii) it is reasonable to believe that the complainant made the allegations to a government entity while holding an ulterior motive with regard to the defendant, or for the purposes of retaliating against the defendant for reasons unrelated to the claim.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by changing Section 2-619 as follows:

(735 ILCS 5/2-619) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-619)

Sec. 2-619. Involuntary dismissal based upon certain defects or defenses.

(a) Defendant may, within the time for pleading, file a motion for dismissal of the action or for other appropriate relief upon any of the following grounds. If the grounds do not appear on the face of the pleading attacked the motion shall be supported by affidavit:

(1) That the court does not have jurisdiction of the subject matter of the action, provided the defect cannot be removed by a transfer of the case to a court having jurisdiction.

(2) That the plaintiff does not have legal capacity to sue or that the defendant does not have legal capacity to be sued.

(3) That there is another action pending between the same parties for the same cause.

(4) That the cause of action is barred by a prior judgment.

(5) That the action was not commenced within the time limited by law.

(6) That the claim set forth in the plaintiff's pleading has been released, satisfied of record, or discharged in bankruptcy.

(7) That the claim asserted is unenforceable under the provisions of the Statute of Frauds.

(8) That the claim asserted against defendant is unenforceable because of his or her minority or other disability.

(9) That the claim asserted against defendant is barred by other affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of or defeating the claim.

(10) That the claim asserted is unenforceable because (A) the claim was filed for the purposes of securing an unfair business advantage unrelated to the underlying claim; (B) the claim was filed in retaliation for, or in an effort to suppress, a party engaged in political speech or activity; or (C) in any claim filed by any unit of government, the facts alleged are based in whole or in part on an anonymous complainant and: (i) the anonymous complainant providing the factual allegations is not revealed; or (ii) it is reasonable to believe that the complainant made the allegations to a government entity while holding an ulterior motive with regard to the defendant, or for the purposes of retaliating against the defendant for reasons unrelated to the claim.

(b) A similar motion may be made by any other party against whom a claim is asserted.

(c) If, upon the hearing of the motion, the opposite party presents affidavits or other proof denying the facts alleged or establishing facts obviating the grounds of defect, the court may hear and determine the same and may grant or deny the motion. If a material and genuine disputed question of fact is raised the court may decide the motion upon the affidavits and evidence offered by the parties, or may deny the motion without prejudice to the right to raise the subject matter of the motion by answer and shall so deny it if the action is one in which a party is entitled to a trial by jury and a jury demand has been filed by the opposite party in apt time.

(d) The raising of any of the foregoing matters by motion under this Section does not preclude the raising of them subsequently by answer unless the court has disposed of the motion on its merits; and a failure to raise any of them by motion does not preclude raising them by answer.

(e) Pleading over after denial by the court of a motion under this Section is not a waiver of any error in the decision denying the motion.

(f) The form and contents of and procedure relating to affidavits under this Section shall be as provided by rule.

(Source: P.A. 83-707.)