House Resolution 118 is a nonbinding resolution that condemns President Donald Trump’s pardons of individuals convicted for their conduct in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The resolution states that Trump’s first day back in office did not address economic concerns or healthcare, but instead focused on pardoning people involved in the Capitol attack and related offenses. It recounts the violence of January 6, including injuries to law enforcement, convictions of participants, and the specific types of conduct attributed to some of those pardoned.
The resolution formally declares that the Illinois House condemns the pardons as “inexcusable” and rejects Trump’s characterization of the pardoned individuals as “patriots.” It also reaffirms historical facts about the 2020 election, the January 6 insurrection, and Trump’s role in encouraging it, stating that presidential pardons cannot alter those facts. As a resolution, it does not change criminal law, pardon authority, or any state regulatory scheme, but it expresses the chamber’s position on federal events and presidential actions.
Impact
HR0118 does not amend Illinois statutes or create enforceable legal obligations; it is a symbolic legislative statement. Its practical effect is political and expressive, using the authority of the Illinois House to condemn federal pardons related to January 6 and to reaffirm the chamber’s view of the events surrounding the Capitol attack and the 2020 election. The resolution may be relevant to public messaging, legislative records, and intergovernmental political debate, but it does not directly affect state agencies, courts, or private parties under Illinois law.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests strong support in the House, with the motion passing 73-0 on February 5, 2025. That result indicates broad agreement among those voting that the resolution’s condemnation of the pardons and its characterization of the January 6 attack should be adopted. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the unanimous vote points to a largely aligned or uncontested position among voting members.
Contention
The main point of contention reflected in the text is President Trump’s pardons of January 6 defendants and his description of them as “patriots,” which the resolution rejects. The resolution also takes issue with Trump’s broader narrative about the 2020 election and January 6, framing his actions as an effort to rewrite historical facts. Because the measure is a resolution rather than a bill changing law, the dispute is primarily political and rhetorical rather than legal, centered on accountability for the Capitol attack, treatment of law enforcement, and the legitimacy of the pardons.