2026 Articles

The Office of the Treasurer adopted amendments to the Part titled Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. These amendments require “finders” to be licensed by the office and to charge client fees of less than 10 percent of the collected amount. License applicants must be of good moral character, demonstrate understanding of the Act, pay a $500 initial licensing fee, and pay a $250 renewal fee every three years.

On July 7, 2026, the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that an award of nominal damages was against the manifest weight of the evidence where the plaintiff proved defamation per se involving an accusation that was widely published and caused the plaintiff mental anguish.

The Department of Public Health issued three rulemakings implementing Public Act 103-1069, each aimed at easing the complaint process for residents of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities, sheltered care facilities, and Illinois veterans homes. 

The General Assembly amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to revise driver’s license renewal, examination, and medical reporting provisions. 

On Aug. 4, 2026, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that where divorced parents designated the father’s address for school purposes through their prior conduct, the mother could change that designation only by petitioning to modify the allocation judgment under section 610.5 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. 

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Fair Patient Billing Act and the Code of Civil Procedure. Under the amended Fair Patient Billing Act, a hospital that pursues legal action against a patient for unpaid medical debt will be prohibited from filing for or obtaining a lien on the patient’s primary residence.

The Department of Public Health adopted amendments to the Illinois Clinical Laboratories Code to clarify who can request specimen examinations from clinical laboratories. 

On April 7, 2026, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a trial court improperly detained a defendant pending a violation-of-probation hearing where the alleged violation was based solely on a new retail theft charge that was not detainable under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

On March 2, 2026, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a prior grant of an emergency civil no-contact order is sufficient to make a prima facie showing that a sexual offense was committed in support of a motion to have a civil no-contact petition heard in criminal court under section 112A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

On Dec. 9, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a prior theft conviction is admissible to impeach the plaintiff’s credibility.

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 June 29, 2026, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that real property donated to a church and used to shelter individuals who are housing-insecure qualified for a charitable-purpose property tax exemption. The Fourth District affirmed the circuit court’s judgment reversing the Department of Revenue’s decision.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) adopted a new Part titled Quantum Computing Campus Program. Under the program, DCEO may designate quantum computing campuses in Illinois for entities engaged in quantum computing research, development, operations, manufacturing, data-center activity, and other related activities that support the practical application of quantum computing.

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation adopted amendments to the Part titled Consumer Legal Funding Act concerning refinancing and pro rata fees.