2025 Articles

On June 26, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court found that the reassignment of a police officer to a different department after a settlement agreement did not constitute additional discipline such that the settlement agreement was breached.

On Aug. 26, 2025, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that an applicant who does not commit fraud in receiving Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) benefits is not at “fault” for ineligible payments.

On Feb. 27, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that when a joint tenant signs a mortgage solely to waive homestead rights, mortgage liens do not attach to their half-interest in the property.

The Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board adopted amendments to the Part entitled Rules of Procedure in Administrative Hearings. The amended Part implements the Illinois Police Training Act, regarding the review of cases of discretionary decertification.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Criminal Code. The law now requires law enforcement to trace all seized firearms if they were unlawfully possessed, used for an unlawful purpose, recovered from a crime scene, or suspected of being used in a crime. 

The Department of Revenue adopted amendments expanding the recordkeeping requirements for retailers that sell tangible personal property.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Certain requirements must be met for any individual or guardian seeking admission for a person with development disabilities to a state-operated facility, including: that the person must be at least 18 years of age; the individual and their guardian must have received, or attempted to receive, education regarding community-based services; and that the person meets all clinical eligibility requirements, among other requirements.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Nursing Home Care Act. Nursing facilities and staff may not retaliate or threaten to retaliate against residents who filed a complaint, testified in a hearing, participated in grievance procedures, or otherwise attempted to assert their rights under the Act.

On Nov. 22, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viruses on surfaces does not result in physical damage to property.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act to provide that on or after June 1, 2025, all self-insured municipalities and fire protection districts providing health insurance for their employees must include coverage for first responders to receive mental health counseling.

On June 5, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that an aggregate sentence is not a de facto life sentence when the defendant is eligible for parole.

On March 31, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that social media posts about a trial can constitute a “serious effort” to influence a jury.

The State Board of Elections adopted an amendment to the Part titled Cyber Navigator Program, permitting the use of a backup system to access Cyber Navigator and Illinois Voter Registration System applications and data if the Illinois Century Network (ICN) fails.

On Oct. 18, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court held that an executive order issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered immunity for healthcare facilities under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

On June 5, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that allowing misconduct evidence predicated on a propensity inference was error; however, under the facts of this case, the evidentiary error was harmless.

On March 20, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that statutory costs not discussed during arbitration can still be sought after the arbitration process.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) adopted a new Part entitled Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Intervention Services, authorized under the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Substance Use Disorder Act. This Part replaces the repealed Part entitled Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment and Intervention Licenses.

On Jan. 17, 2025, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a physician-patient relationship is not established where the physician provides an informal consultation and does not review any of the patient records.