On November 23, 1998, 46 states settled smoking-related claims against the tobacco industry for as much as $206 billion, potentially the largest court settlement in history.

On November 16, 1998, the Department of Central Management Services, the agency that leases or acquires property for all state agencies or authorities, enacted amendments and new provisions into section 5000 of its administrative rules. 44 Ill Adm Code 5000.

Two additional conditions must be met before the state can hold mortgage lenders liable for delinquent property taxes.

On March 23, 1999 the Illinois Department of Human Services adopted a new section to the Illinois Administrative Code. 59 Ill Adm Code 299.

On September 16, 1999, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services adopted amendments and added a section to section 309 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 309.

Introduced by Senator Doris Karpiel, Public Act 90-742 may save time and money for individuals seeking medical attention in Illinois.

On January 20, 1999, the Department of Human Services repealed sections 112-114, which dealt with Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and General Assistance respectively, and which implemented 305 ILCS 5/11-30. 89 Ill Adm Code 112-114.

On April 15, 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court and trial court, and held that the amendment to the Nursing Home Care Act (``Act'') (210 ILCS 45/3-602 (West 1996)) should be applied retroactively to prohibit the recovery of treble damages from a licensee to a facility resident.

Public Act 90-808 amends the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act to raise the aggregate value of all prizes or merchandise permitted to be awarded in a single day of pull-tabs and jar games to $5,000. Previously, the limit was $2,250.

Public Act 90-802 amends the School Code. This Act was passed after the Governor's technical recommendations were incorporated.

On June 2, 1999, the seventh circuit reversed the holding of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and held that benefit caps on AIDS-related illnesses in the defendant's insurance policies did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Ac

The General Assembly recently passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("IRFRA'') over Governor Jim Edgar's amendatory veto.

Until recently, torturing animals was only a misdemeanor in Illinois. However, individuals who intentionally torture animals will now face up to three years in prison and will be forced to undergo psychological and psychiatric evaluations for a first offense.

As this issue went to press, the anti-crime bills proposed recently have received mixed support in the House and Senate.

On March 15, 1999, the Attorney General published an opinion on whether the Illinois Courts Commission, which was established by Rule 51 (Ill S Ct Rule 51) of the Illinois Supreme Court to receive and hear complaints related to the removal of a judge from office.

On August 1, 1999, the Illinois Department of Human Services adopted emergency amendments to section 112 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 112.83.

On December 31, 1998, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the appellate court and circuit court, and answered a certified question by the circuit court, holding that a licensed attorney employed by a law firm cannot maintain a cause of action for retaliatory discharge.

On March 18, 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court granted the request of the administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and ordered Chase Ingersoll, the respondent, disbarred.

On March 1, 1999, the Attorney General published an opinion on whether a non-home-rule county has the authority to borrow money from a financial institution and execute a multi-year installment note to secure the payment of the loan. Ill Atty Gen Op 99-002.

On October 21, 1999, the Seventh Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the bankruptcy court that the plaintiff, Michael Rovell.

On March 19, 1999, the first district affirmed the holding of the Circuit Court of Cook County in this case, holding that the defendant owed no duty of care to passing motorists who may become distracted by the activities of its business.

Governor Jim Edgar characterized Public Act 90-737, the State Gift Ban Act, as "an important step forward in the reform of campaign finance and ethics laws'' that would "improve accountability and help Illinoisans better understand the political process in our state.''

On March 9, 1999, the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois adopted amendments to section 1540.320 of its administrative rules. 80 Ill Adm Code 1540.