IL HB5654

Expands the definition of "abuse" in the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to include coercive control, emotional distress, psychological abuse, and physical abuse or assault with specific examples.

Creates the Domestic Violence Victims' Expense Fund as a special state treasury fund to provide grants covering reasonable travel expenses for domestic violence victims participating in proceedings.

Removes the population restriction (previously limited to counties over 250,000) and requires all courts to offer remote hearing options for domestic violence protection order petitions at the court's discretion.

Authorizes the Supreme Court of Illinois to adopt rules promoting pro bono attorney representation for victims under the Domestic Violence Act.

Allows the Department of Children and Family Services to accept private donations and grants to the Victims' Expense Fund and adopt rules for distributing assistance to domestic violence victims.