On July 29, 2002, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of Woodford County in this product liability case.

On August 23, 2002, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, concluded that the plaintiff's suit alleging spoliation of evidence was barred by the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel.

On February 22, 2002, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court and held that a verdict in favor of plaintiffs and against a utility for toxic poisoning from exposure to coal tar resulting in children suffering from neuroblastoma was not subject to reversal.

Legislation signed by Gov. Ryan in January amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act to authorize sexual assault nurse examiners to perform examinations of sexual assault victims using a State Police Evidence Collection Kit (SPECK).

On September 12, 2001, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District, held that before the trial court can admit "novel scientific testimony," the proponent of the evidence must prove the reliability and general acceptability of the scientist's methods.

When Gov. Ryan signed P.A. 91-871 (governing evidence retention) in June of 2000, he expressed concerns with a number of provisions in the law including overbroad application to all physical evidence, arbitrary time limits for retention of evidence and unclear guidelines for the court in granting requests for early disposition of evidence.

Gov. Ryan recently signed legislation expanding the hearsay exception for incapacitated seniors.

Under a recent change to the Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, certain hearsay evidence will soon be admissible in some circumstances.