SB1437 Summary

• Establishes expert witness qualification and testimony standards for Illinois civil proceedings, including requirements that expert testimony be based on sufficient facts, reliable principles, and proper application of those principles to the case.

• Requires lay witness opinions to be rationally based on their perception, helpful to understanding testimony, and not based on specialized knowledge; prohibits experts from testifying outside their qualified field.

• Mandates pretrial hearings upon motion to determine expert witness qualifications and testimony reliability, with courts issuing written findings of fact and conclusions of law; requires expert disclosure at least 90 days before trial including written reports containing opinions, basis, qualifications, publications, compensation, and prior trial testimony.

• Prohibits expert testimony when compensation is contingent on case outcome and restricts disclosure of inadmissible facts used to form expert opinions unless probative value substantially outweighs prejudicial effect.

• Directs courts to follow U.S. Supreme Court precedent from Daubert, Joiner, Kumho Tire, and Weisgram cases; allows interlocutory appeals of expert evidence rulings; applies to cases commenced after effective date and pending cases with trials scheduled 90+ days after effective date.