2025 Articles

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Starting no later than the 2025-2026 school year, exonerated individuals awarded a grant under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act may allocate any unused portions of the grant to one or more dependents.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Citizen Participation Act to strengthen protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and to reinforce citizens’ rights to engage in government processes. The amendment extends the Act’s protections to the freedom of the press, affirming that reporting, opining, and investigating matters of public concern constitute participation in and communication with government.

On Nov. 22, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that eyewitness testimony is insufficient to hold a defendant guilty of murder when the testimony runs risk of errors according to modern social science research.

On July 31, 2025, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that failure to pay court-ordered child support may lead to a finding of civil contempt.

The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Workers’ Rights and Worker Safety Act. The Act bars state agencies from weakening worker protections below the standards set by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act or the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act as they existed on April 28, 2025.

On Aug. 15, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAA) preempts state negligence claims against a trucking broker for negligent selection, but such claims are protected by the safety exception.

On Nov. 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court held that fees charged to developers as a condition of annexation are not road improvement impact fees governed by the Impact Fee Law.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Criminal Identification Act. Illinois State Police and local law enforcement authorities must now automatically seal the law enforcement records that relate to an individual’s class 4 felony conviction for prostitution when the individual’s file becomes eligible for expungement under applicable law.

On Feb. 18, 2025, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that filing a motion to dismiss waives one’s right to compel arbitration.

On July 24, 2025, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a forum selection clause in a lease is enforceable and not contrary to public policy.

On Aug. 19, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in finding multiple violations of motions in limine and improper closing arguments as sufficient prejudice to warrant a new trial.

On Feb. 18, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that section 2-14 of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act does not invalidate gym liability waivers.

The Illinois Labor Relations Board adopted amendments to its hearing procedures and proceedings. An “administrative law judge” now means an Illinois-licensed attorney authorized by the board to conduct hearings and write recommended decisions and orders.

On July 30, 2025, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that there is an abuse of discretion where the trial court erred in excluding testimony as cumulative.