Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulos’ Office Will Depository Legislation Clears Both Illinois Chambers

Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulos’ Office Will Depository Legislation Clears Both Illinois Chambers

Bipartisan measure creates first-of-its-kind system to safeguard original wills and streamline probate for Illinois families.


CHICAGO – The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, led by Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, today announced that identical Clerk-led proposals to modernize probate safeguards have successfully passed their respective chambers in the Illinois General Assembly. SB3291, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham, passed the Illinois Senate with a vote of 55-0-0, while HB4722, sponsored by Rep. Lilian Jiménez, passed the Illinois House with a vote of 111-0-0.


Backed by AARP, the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois State Association of Counties, and Area Agencies on Aging, the legislation would give residents a county-level option to safeguard original wills, supporting a more efficient probate process for families and the courts.


“This dual passage in the House and Senate moves Illinois closer to a more secure, reliable way for people to protect their final wishes,” said Clerk Spyropoulos. “By securing approval in both chambers, we are proving that providing families with certainty and reducing preventable probate complications is a priority that resonates across the state.”


The legislation authorizes Clerks of the Circuit Court to accept and safeguard original wills during a testator’s lifetime for a small fee. It also includes critical guardrails clarifying that depositing a will does not determine its validity or give it greater legal weight under the Probate Act of 1975; rather, it ensures the document is available when it matters most.


“This commonsense bill helps ensure wills are secure, private and accessible when families need them—reducing stress and uncertainty for older Illinoisans and their loved ones,” said Philippe Largent, State Director of AARP Illinois.


“This legislation highlights how county governments deliver practical services that protect residents and improve lives. By seeking to safeguard original wills at the local level, counties are helping families plan with confidence and navigate probate more smoothly when it matters most,” said Joe McCoy, Executive Director of the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo).


Both bills will now be heard in their opposite chambers for final passage.

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