Illinois Sen. Harmon’s eminent domain bill for Oak Park public facility passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Sen. Don Harmon aims to grant Oak Park authority to use quick-take eminent domain for public building projects, following approval in both chambers, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 73 Democrats and six Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 27 Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 37 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while three Republicans voted against it.

Harmon introduced the bill in the Illinois Senate on Jan. 29, 2026 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as SB3107, was passed on May 27, 2026 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take powers may be used by the Village of Oak Park for a period of 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act for the acquisition of specified properties in Cook County for the purpose of a public building and facility. Repeals the provisions added by the amendatory Act 3 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill authorizes the Village of Oak Park to use quick-take eminent domain procedures for 2 years after the law takes effect to acquire specified properties on Madison Street and South Humphrey Avenue in Cook County. The properties are described by street address, parcel identification numbers and subdivision legal descriptions. The acquired land must be used for a public building and facility. The new quick-take authority section in the Eminent Domain Act is automatically repealed 3 years after the law’s effective date. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (Democrat-78th District) and Rep. Ryan Spain (Republican-73rd District).

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Harmon graduated from Knox College in 1988 with a BA and again in 1994 from University of Chicago with a JD.

Harmon, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2003 to represent the state’s 39th Senate District, replacing previous state senator John Cullerton.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.