Skip to content

BIPA Changes Head to Illinois Governor’s Desk

BIPA Changes Head to Illinois Governor’s Desk

May 17, 2024 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

BIPA Changes Head to Illinois Governor’s Desk

The Illinois House, following the Senate’s lead, passed SB 2979, a bill including important changes to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The legislation will now head to the governor. It is expected that he will sign it into law. The bill clarifies that liability for BIPA violations occurs on a per person—instead of a per incident—basis, providing liability relief going forward to employers who may inadvertently violate its provisions. SB 2979 also contains provisions explicitly authorizing the use of electronic signatures on biometric collection consent forms. The legislation does not, however, make these changes retroactive, potentially leaving employers subject to frivolous lawsuits due to alleged violations in the past. Many lawmakers opposed the measure because they didn’t believe it went far enough or provided adequate relief to businesses currently targeted by expensive lawsuits. Many businesses have been hit by costly lawsuits under the current provisions of BIPA. Last year, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc. that each separate incident of unauthorized biometric collection or transmission was a separate violation of the act and subject to individual damages. The Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) governs the collection and transmission of individuals’ biometric information, providing for civil liability for any violations. Many employers, whose employees clock in and out with fingerprint scans, have been targeted in civil lawsuits for allegedly failing to attain sufficient employee consent for the collection of the employee’s biometric information.

Check it out!

Until 05/11/2024
Lorem ipsum dolor site amet
Learn More
Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

July 4, 2025
America’s Small Businesses Applaud President Trump, Congress…
Read More
United States Capitol Building Wide Shot
July 3, 2025
NFIB Thanks Congress for Passing Landmark Small Business Tax Re…
NFIB applauds Congress for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which in…
Read More
July 2, 2025
NFIB Key Votes One Big Beautiful Bill Act in U.S. Senate and Ho…
NFIB key votes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in the 119th Congress and urg…
Read More
July 2, 2025
Small Business Owners Push Priorities in Capitol Hill Meetings
Over 80 small business owners attended NFIB’s annual Fly-In. They attende…
Read More

© 2001 - 2025 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility