HB2624 Summary

• Establishes the Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, creating a standardized framework for accessing court records with categories: "Public" (accessible to anyone), "Impounded" (accessible to parties or by court order), "Confidential" (accessible only to submitting party or by court order), "Sealed" (court order only), and "Expunged" (court order only under Criminal Identification Act).

• Requires court clerks to presume all records and documents are accessible to the court and clerk, with access codes restricting non-public case information; remote internet access governed by Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy.

• Applies Supreme Court Rule 8 over conflicting state laws regarding court record access and encourages the Supreme Court to establish standardized processes and forms for requesting access to restricted court files.

• Amends multiple statutes to cross-reference the new Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, including provisions governing wiretap recordings, child sexual abuse victim records, domestic violence orders, stalking orders, and civil no contact orders, ensuring consistency in how records are sealed and made inaccessible prior to service on respondents.

• Applies to all court records and documents created and maintained by state courts in civil or criminal proceedings.