SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans looking to update their wills or establish end-of-life plans have faced barriers during the pandemic due to a rule requiring in-person court hearings, inspiring State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to introduce an initiative to update current practices for remote and electronic filings. The measure passed through the Senate’s Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“Over the last year, more aspects of our daily lives have gone digital, but the procedure for estate planning has lagged behind as technology advances,” Crowe said. “Providing residents the option to have remote will hearings and electronic filings makes the process quicker and simpler.”

Executive Order 2020-14, filed in March 2020, gave notaries and witnesses the ability to finalize documents remotely during the pandemic. Crowe’s legislation works in collaboration with the executive order to allow wills to be signed electronically and hearings to be conducted virtually.

Tuesday was the first virtual meeting of the Judiciary Committee under Crowe’s leadership as chair.

Senate Bill 72 moves for further consideration before the full Senate.