2025 Articles

On April 8, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that summary judgment was not proper when there was a legitimate dispute around the meaning of the term “use” in an insurance policy.

On July 8, 2025, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the emergency exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement validated a warrantless entry and search.

The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Climate Displacement Task Force Act to ensure the state proactively plans for climate-driven displacement by identifying relevant projected risks. Specifically, the Act addresses the growing threat of displacement caused by the increasing number of people relocating domestically and from abroad to escape the effects of climate change, including rising water levels and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

The Department of Revenue amended the Part entitled Electronic Filing of Returns or Other Documents, setting forth the electronic signature methods the department may require taxpayers to use when required to file returns, forms, and other documents electronically. 

The Landlord Retaliation Act establishes that a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant who: acts in good faith and complains about a code violation or landlord practices, seeks assistance to remedy the violation or illegal practice, requests repairs consistent with regulations or prior agreements, participates in union activities, testifies against the landlord, or exercises any other right or remedy afforded to them under the law.

On Sept. 29, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a police officer’s disciplinary history showing his unreliability and disservice to the police department and the public supported a finding of cause for termination.

On Sep. 27, 2024, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that an expert witness testifying about the alleged breach of a standard of care must tie their opinion to the standard of care.

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation adopted amendments to the Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Sales Finance Agency Act. The amendments require credit-insurance refunds on loans that are prepaid in full, canceled, refinanced, renewed, or reduced to judgment prior to maturity to be computed under the methodology required by the Department of Insurance. 

On June 4, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that improperly-obtained evidence of possession of a firearm cannot be used to support an armed habitual criminal conviction.

The Department of Public Health amended the Part entitled Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Facilities Code. Nursing facility food service and direct care staff are prohibited from using latex gloves unless circumstances exist that prevent the facility from acquiring nonlatex gloves. In such a circumstance, the facility should prioritize the use of nonlatex gloves by those serving residents with latex allergies and residents unable to communicate whether they have a latex allergy.

The Illinois Department of Health amended the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Code regarding the transfer of sexual assault survivors between hospitals.

On April 24, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that section 2-101.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure is constitutional on an as-applied basis.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Victims of domestic violence or other previous abuse may petition for an order of protection even if the offender is currently incarcerated. 

On Feb. 21, 2025, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the doctrine of forfeiture by wrongdoing applies when the defendant prevents a victim from speaking to police about ongoing abuse.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. The amendments raise the administrative fees that employers must pay to the Department of Labor when ordered to pay unpaid wages.