HB4596 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)
IDPH-COMBAT MISINFORMATION
Last Action
2/17/2026 - House: Assigned to Public Health Committee
Hearings
Public Health Committee Hearing Feb 26 2026 8:00AM Capitol Building Room 122 Springfield, IL
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Combating Health Misinformation Act. Establishes the Health Misinformation Response Unit within the Department of Public Health to monitor and counter health misinformation. Requires the Department to offer public health literacy grants. Requires the Department of Public Health to recruit and train trusted messengers to assist in communicating accurate health information. Requires certain entities that distribute or communicate health-related information in the State to disclose funding sources, as well as to provide citations for alleged facts. Allows the Department of Public Health to request that information from those entities. Provides that specified entities that knowingly violate certain provisions of the Act commit an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Defines terms. Amends the School Code to require health literacy to be taught as part of a comprehensive health education program, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health. Makes conforming changes to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1/26/2026 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Dave Vella |
| 2/03/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 2/03/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 2/05/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias |
| 2/17/2026 | House | Assigned to Public Health Committee |