On Dec. 29, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court held that evidence of voluntary intoxication may be considered when evaluating a defendant’s mental state for specific-intent offenses.

On March 5, 2024, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that failure to conduct either a preliminary hearing or indictment is structural error.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Farm Mutual Insurance Company Act of 1986. The Act is now divided into two subsections: subsection (a) is effective until Nov. 17, 2028; subsection (b) is effective thereafter.

On Jan. 11, 2024, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that first cousins once removed are eligible for a related adoption under the Adoption Act.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Criminal Code of 2012. Prosecutions based upon fraudulent activity related to COVID-19 relief programs must be commenced either: 1) within five years after the discovery of the offense by an individual having a legal duty to report the offense; or 2) in the absence of such discovery, within five years after the appropriate prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense.

On Nov. 30, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the Illinois State Police (ISP) does not have to provide information to applicants regarding their own Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card application under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

On Jan. 25, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a genuine issue of material fact exists as to apparent agency when a hospital patient does not know their physician is an independent contractor.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. The state’s guardianship training program, which covers the duties and responsibilities of guardians appointed under the Probate Act, must now include content regarding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The Department of Public Health adopted amendments to its Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Code. Within 60 days of the department’s request, hospitals must submit a plan to provide either transfer services to all sexual assault survivors, medical forensic services to all sexual assault survivors, or transfer services to pediatric sexual assault survivors; and medical forensic services to sexual assault survivors 13 years and older.

On March 7, 2024, the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court held municipalities cannot appeal suppression-of-evidence orders in cases concerning municipal code violations.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Criminal Code of 2012. The amendments removed all references related to the imposition of a death sentence.

On Oct. 27, 2023, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that Illinois does not recognize a common-law peer-review privilege, but the Illinois reporter’s privilege statutes protect academic journals from disclosing their sources.

The Department of Revenue adopted amendments to the Part titled Income Tax. The Illinois earned income tax credit has been increased to 20 percent of the federal earned income tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

 The Department of Healthcare and Family Services adopted amendments to its Medical Assistance Programs. The countable monthly income eligibility threshold for children under age 19 to receive medical assistance is now raised from 133 percent to 313 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Vehicle Code. An automated license plate reader (ALPR) is an electronic device that can record data or take a photograph of a vehicle or its license plate and compare the collected data to existing law enforcement databases for investigative purposes.

On April 19, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that an insurance policy’s exclusion for “knowing violation of rights of another” bars coverage when allegations of the complaint in the underlying matter allege malicious acts.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The amendments added new evaluation criteria for judges to determine whether a minor 15 years or older shall be criminally prosecuted or is amenable to the care, treatment, and programs of juvenile court.