On January 21, 2004, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Champaign County convicting the defendant of resisting or obstructing a peace officer. 

On December 30, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, vacated the order of the trial court ordering the defendant to pay restitution based on a criminal damage to property charge that was dismissed as a part of her plea agreement on other charges.

State's attorneys may create bad check diversion programs within their offices, which would allow qualified offenders to participate in the program instead of being prosecuted for the offense. 

Effective the first of the year, an inmate cannot file more than one post-conviction petition in the trial court, under 725 ILCS 5/122-1, without leave of court.

On November 20, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the appellate court that found that the trial court had abused its discretion when it failed to sua sponteissue an involuntary manslaughter instruction to the jury. 

The Detection of Deception Examiners Act was recently amended to clarify that the Act does not prohibit the use of a voice stress analyzer by any trained.

On October 17, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed in part, affirmed in part, and remanded the appellate court's decision to overturn the defendant's conviction of felony murder because it was improperly predicated upon aggravated battery.

Effective January 1, 2004, the Criminal Code is amended to hold those responsible for corporate misconduct criminally accountable.

On September 18, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the portion of the appellate court's decision that vacated the defendant's extended-term sentence. 

On September 18, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the circuit and appellate courts' judgments to suppress evidence found during a search of the defendant's motel room in which a probationer subject to a search condition was staying.

On September 19, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, affirmed the defendant's conviction for escape in the circuit court of Stephenson County.

On August 21, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a postconviction petitioner may not raise a claim based on Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, in a successive postconviction petition.

On August 7, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, reversed the order of the Circuit Court of DuPage County dismissing the indictment filed against the defendant for aggravated driving while license revoked and remanded the cause for further proceedings.

A person commits criminal synthetic drug manufacturing conspiracy when, with the intent that a controlled substance be manufactured or produced, the person aids in the manufacture or production of a synthetic controlled substance.

The Illinois Police Training Act has been amended to require training of police officers to conduct electronic interrogations.

The Illinois Criminal Code has been amended to criminalize the use of a dangerous place for the commission of a substance or cannabis offense.

On July 11, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District, vacated the order of the Circuit Court of LaSalle County denying the defendant's motion to suppress evidence.

The Illinois Sex Offender Management Board recently adopted regulations pursuant to their duties under 20 ILCS 4026.

On May 20, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, affirmed the order of the Circuit Court of Cook County convicting the defendant of theft by deception and sentencing him in absentia.

On June 19, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the evidence obtained in a traffic stop that was based upon an anonymous tipper who overheard a cellular phone conversation on a police scanner was not obtained in violation of the Illinois eavesdropping statute, federal wiretapping statutes, or constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently signed into law six bills aimed at eliminating problems that have raised questions about the integrity of Illinois' criminal justice system.

New legislation provides for increased penalties for arson involving a place of worship.

On June 19, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the provisions under P. A. 91-0404, §5, effective January 1, 2000.

On June 26, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District, reversed both the order of the Circuit Court of Richland County denying the defendant's motion to suppress evidence and the defendant's conviction of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

On May 22, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court overruled its decision in People v Klingenberg, 172 Ill 2d 270, 665 NE2d 1370 (1996).

On May 22, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court held that section 11-20.1(f) of the Illinois child pornography statute, 720 ILCS 5/11.20.1(f) (2001).