The Illinois General Assembly passed the Freelance Worker Protection Act. The Act provides that a freelance worker shall be paid the contracted compensation amount on or before the date the compensation is due under the terms of the contract.

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 May 23, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court held that if a motion to reconsider conviction is untimely, a notice of appeal is also untimely.

On May 31, 2024, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held a claimant may recover worker’s compensation benefits for nonscheduled losses that could affect earning capacity.

On May 31, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held the state’s use of peremptory challenges to exclude five black prospective jurors during jury selection violated the federal and Illinois constitutions’ respective equal-protection clause.

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.

On June 7, 2024, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held a defendant’s motion for pretrial release must be heard in a timely manner.

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 Office of the Secretary of State adopted amendments allowing individuals without a Social Security number eligible for a visa status or nonvisa status a temporary visitor’s driver’s license to apply for a standard driver’s license or identification card.

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 May 23, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court held that insurance clauses prohibiting the stacking of liability coverage are allowed.

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.

On Oct. 19, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a judgment notwithstanding the verdict is proper when a jury’s answer to a special interrogatory is inconsistent with its general verdict.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Vehicle Code. Under the Code, drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle where any object placed or suspended between the driver and front windshield materially obstructs their view.