On Feb. 8, 2024, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a postconviction counsel’s failure to comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 651(c) does not require reversal when subsequent postconviction counsel complies with the Rule.

The Illinois General Assembly created the Consumer Contract Reciprocal Attorney’s Fees Act. If a consumer contract allows for recovery of attorney fees when a commercial party brings an action to enforce the contract, the defendant may be awarded reasonable attorney fees if they prevail.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Nursing Home Care Act. Psychotropic medication may now be used in a nursing home only if supported by a diagnosis and if beneficial to the patient. The patient’s medical record must support the benefit of psychotropic medication over other prescribed medications. This restriction applies to both nonemergency and emergency situations.

Public defenders can now access images the Secretary of State captured in the process of issuing their clients’ driver’s licenses.

The Secretary of State adopted amendments to the Illinois State Library Grant Programs, requiring public libraries to implement policies restricting removal of materials due to disapproval from individuals or groups.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Vehicle Code. Any authority with maintenance jurisdiction over a publicly owned, paved bicycle trail must erect permanent regulatory or warning signage that alerts pedestrians or cyclists to highway crossings.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. The amendment establishes a rebuttable presumption that child victims under the age of 13 shall testify outside of the courtroom and the testimony shall be shown via closed-circuit television (CCTV).

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Act now allows restaurants and consumers to fill or refill consumer-owned containers with bulk food.

On Nov. 21, 2023, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act forbids reimposing monetary bond for pretrial release unless the defendant accepts monetary bond as part of their original bond terms.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Every school district (other than a school district organized under Article 34) with a full-time licensed teacher population of 575 or more and that maintains a 457 plan...

On April 4, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court held that section 1-2.1-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code does not preempt a city’s home-rule authority to administratively adjudicate violations of its ordinances.

On Oct. 19, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court held sentencing provision section 9-1.2(d) of the Criminal Code of 1961 does not change the classification of intentional homicide of an unborn child to murder.

On Nov. 15, 2023, the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court held sovereign immunity does not protect state officers when their conduct is unconstitutional and plaintiffs seek more than damages for past wrongs under the officer-suit exception.

Amends the Uniform Racial Classification Act. When a state agency is required by law to compile or report statistical data using racial or ethnic classifications, that agency shall also include people who are...

On Feb. 26, 2024, the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the state must file a petition requesting the denial of pretrial release at the defendant’s first appearance in front of a judge or within 21 calendar days after the defendant’s arrest and release.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Election Code. The amendment establishes the Task Force to Review Eligibility to Hold Public Office, which will review the criminal conduct that currently precludes an individual from holding public office in Illinois and make recommendations regarding what conduct should preclude such ineligibility.