IL HB1367

Re-enacts product liability provisions from Public Act 89-7 that were previously voided by the Illinois Supreme Court in Best v. Taylor Machine Works (1997), establishing Part 21 of Article II of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Defines key terms for product liability actions including "manufacturer," "product seller," "product liability action," and "harm" to establish scope of coverage.

Establishes presumptions that products are reasonably safe if they comply with applicable federal or state standards, and that product designs are reasonably safe unless a practical and technically feasible alternative design was available at time of manufacture.

Limits liability for manufacturers and product sellers by prohibiting admission of subsequent design or warning changes as evidence of defects, exempting obvious or commonly-known risks from warning requirements, and barring punitive damages when conduct complied with applicable regulations unless plaintiff proves intentional withholding of material safety information by clear and convincing evidence.

Applies the re-enacted provisions to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.