2025 Articles

The Illinois General Assembly enacted Karina’s Law. Local law enforcement agencies are required to temporarily remove firearms or firearm parts from individuals who are subject to an order of protection if the alleged victim successfully requests firearm removal in court.

On Sept. 30, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a landlord’s improper attempt to seek attorney fees as part of a default judgment violates the Municipal Code of Chicago, even though a lease provision allowing for attorney fees was not prohibited.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Landlord and Tenant Act. The Act now requires that landlords using third-party payment systems that impose transaction fees or other additional charges must offer tenants alternative payment methods. 

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Language access rights in administrative proceedings have been strengthened. Contested hearings before administrative bodies must provide “language access services,” which include interpretation, sight translation, written translation, and bilingual staff services.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Self-represented litigants, witnesses, and indigent litigants may request language interpretation services during a hearing.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Allows law enforcement agencies to disclose law enforcement reports and records to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General in accordance with the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 to clarify the role of law enforcement officers in assisting victims of domestic violence. Under the existing law, law enforcement officers are authorized to take reasonable actions to prevent further abuse, neglect, or exploitation when they have reasonable cause to believe that a person has been abused, neglected, or exploited by a family or household member.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Freedom of Information Act. The Act now exempts images from cameras under the Expressway Camera Act and all automated license plate reader information used and collected by the Illinois State Police. However, this will become inoperative on and after July 1, 2028.

On Jan. 23, 2025, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that pretrial release sanctions are not exceptions to the County Jail Good Behavior Allowance Act.

The Department of Children and Family Services adopted amendments to licensing standards for mandated reporters. The amendments implement the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, which requires implicit-bias training for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation adopted an amendment to its real estate appraiser licensing requirements. There is no longer any exception to paying the application fee when renewing a license for a qualifying education course.

Amends the Build Illinois Act so that the maximum loan amount for minority-owned small business loans increases from $400,000 to $2 million, or 50 percent of project costs.

The Department of Corrections adopted an amendment to its Code that affords offenders the option to appeal rejections when the offender is prohibited from receiving a letter in the mail.

On May 22, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a marital settlement agreement distributing veteran disability benefits to the nonveteran spouse was enforceable and not preempted by federal law.

The Illinois Gaming Board adopted amendments to the Parts titled Video Gaming (General) and Riverboat and Casino Gambling after determining that principles applicable to advertising and marketing limitations in sports wagering apply equally to the casino and video gaming industries.

The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act, amending multiple statutes. The Department of Children and Family Services must now screen all youth in its care during the initial integrated assessment for risk of trafficking, based on commercial sexual exploitation or other indicators, and provide specialized services as needed.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services amended the Part entitled Medical Assistance Programs, implementing a change in federal Medicaid rules. 

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. It is unlawful for a consumer reporting agency to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit report containing...

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Prescribers now make decisions regarding the treatment of patients with chronic pain in correspondence with responsibilities described in federal regulations and state administrative rules.