On Feb. 6, 2024, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a date of service must be established before a complaint may be dismissed for failure to issue summons within 35 days of the service of a final administrative decision under the Administrative Review Law.

On Jan. 23, 2024, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that defendants have the right to be physically present at pretrial release hearings.

On Nov. 9, 2023, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a defendant arrested before the SAFE-T Act became effective and who remains in detention after being ordered released subject to pretrial conditions must be allowed to stand on those original terms.

On Oct. 18, 2023, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a water pump house may constitute a corporation’s “other office” for the purpose of determining proper venue.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. For purposes of the Act, “delinquent minor” no longer refers to minors who violated or attempted to violate a federal law before their 18th birthday.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Child Care Act of 1969. The Department of Children and Family Services must create and maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, other products, and substances regulated by the department.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Documents obtained from a public body by the public access counselor for the purpose of addressing a request for review of such public body’s denial of a request to inspect or copy a public record are now exempt from FOIA.

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State adopted amendments to the Illinois Vehicle Code. Every individual aged 79 or older applying to renew their driver’s license must prove, by actual demonstration, their ability to exercise reasonable care in the safe operation of motor vehicles.

The Department of Revenue adopted amendments to the Public Utilities Revenue Act. Persons who distribute electricity to consumers are subject to the tax on electricity distribution when they own, lease, or control the facilities used to distribute the electricity.

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.

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.

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.