IL SB2948

Establishes new framework for expert witness testimony in Illinois civil litigation, requiring experts to be qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education and limiting testimony to areas where experts are qualified.

Mandates that expert testimony be based on sufficient facts or data, derived from reliable principles and methods, and properly applied to the case facts; prohibits expert compensation contingent on case outcomes.

Requires mandatory pretrial hearings upon motion to determine expert witness qualifications and compliance with reliability standards, with written rulings setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law completed by final pretrial conference.

Mandates written expert reports containing opinions, basis for opinions, data considered, qualifications, publications within prior 10 years, compensation, and prior testimony history; requires disclosure at least 90 days before trial or 30 days for rebuttal evidence.

Directs Illinois courts to follow U.S. Supreme Court precedents from Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals and related cases; permits interlocutory appeals of expert evidence rulings and applies de novo review to legal standards and abuse of discretion review to factual applications.