2026 Articles

The Department of Agriculture adopted a new Part titled Local Food Infrastructure Grant, implementing the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act.

On Dec. 2, 2025, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held a section 2-1401 petition under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure requires a movant to allege a meritorious defense and facts showing that the movant exercised due diligence in defending against the original action.

The Department of Innovation and Technology set out clearer steps for submitting, reviewing, and deciding grievances regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) grievance procedures.

On Dec. 4, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a 30-day imprisonment sanction is not a sentence under the County Jail Good Behavior Allowance Act and therefore does not entitle defendants to good-conduct credit.

The General Assembly amended the School Code to prohibit schools and law enforcement from issuing monetary fines, fees, tickets, or citations to students for municipal code violations committed on school grounds during school hours or while taking school transportation. 

The General Assembly amended the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to require the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to develop clear, definitive guidelines for developing threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans.

The Department of Revenue adopted amendments to the Part titled Income Tax, expanding the regulatory framework applicable to entities engaged in small consumer lending.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Explosives Act regarding licensing, enforcement, storage, and transportation requirements for explosives. The Act updates statutory definitions for explosives, explosive materials, magazine keepers, water gel, and consumer fireworks. 

The General Assembly enacted the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act, which provides that parents involved with the Illinois child welfare system are guaranteed certain rights. 

On Nov. 26, 2025, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that granting summary judgment in favor of the defendant was proper in a wrongful-death suit because the plaintiff failed to establish a genuine issue of material fact that would support an allegation of willful and wanton misconduct by the ambulance crew.

On Oct. 2, 2025, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that trust assets may not be used to pay off an encumbrance absent express terms of the decedent’s trust or will establishing intent for trust assets to be used for the encumbrance.