IL HB3594

Creates a private cause of action allowing individuals, businesses, and associations who suffered at least $10,000 in damages from climate disasters or extreme weather attributable to climate change to sue "responsible parties" (fossil fuel companies that emitted at least 1 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent during the covered period)

Covers the period from January 1, 1965 to the effective date of the Act, and imposes strict liability with joint and several liability on responsible parties; actions must be filed within 3 years of when the cause of action accrues

Prohibits the State, local governments, or government employees from bringing actions under the Act; enforcement is exclusively through private civil actions by harmed parties

Eliminates numerous potential defenses including ignorance of law, reliance on overruled court decisions, assumption of risk, forum non conveniens, and assertions that federal law preempts the action

Allows courts to award compensatory damages for property loss, medical care, mental health treatment, pain and suffering, and punitive damages; insurance payments and government recovery serve as offsets to damages