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Illinois State Legislature passes an Act for the Protection of Personal Liberty.

1867

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Elizabeth Packard, who was involuntarily committed by her husband from 1860-1863 for her religious convictions and abolitionist positions, writes books and tirelessly lobbies the Illinois State Legislature to pass protection against commitment for the supposedly "insane." In 1867, the State Legislature passes the Bill for the Protection of Personal Liberty, which requires the state to offer due process before a jury before a patient is involuntarily committed.