HB4899 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 17583 AJO 43657 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB4899

Introduced , by Rep. Edward J. Acevedo

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

735 ILCS 5/Art. VIII Pt. 28 heading new
735 ILCS 5/8-2801 new

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that in any action concerning a motor vehicle accident in which personal injury or property damage is alleged, a photographic or electronic image of a motor vehicle or other property is relevant and admissible through a lay or occurrence witness with personal knowledge that the image truly and accurately portrays what is purports to portray. Provides that it is not necessary that an expert or opinion witness testify to the image's relevance or to the correlation between the image and the claimed injury.

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 adding Part 28 to Article VIII as follows:

(735 ILCS 5/Art. VIII Pt. 28 heading new)

PART 28. PHOTOGRAPHIC OR ELECTRONIC IMAGES

(735 ILCS 5/8-2801 new)

Sec. 8-2801. Admissibility of photographic or electronic images. In any action concerning a motor vehicle accident or occurrence wherein personal injury or damage to property is in issue, a photographic or electronic image of a motor vehicle or other property shall be deemed relevant and shall be admissible in evidence upon authentication by a lay or occurrence witness with personal knowledge that the image truly and accurately portrays such vehicle or other property as it appeared before or after the motor vehicle accident or occurrence which is the subject of the action. It is not necessary for admission of the image into evidence that an expert or opinion witness testify as to the relevance of the image or to the correlation between the vehicular damage or other property damage and the claimed bodily injury.