The alleged gunman in the murder of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton will get a new trial after the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday announced a rare tie vote. The justices dismissed an appeal of a lower court ruling that threw out the confession of Micheail Ward after deadlocking 3-3 on the case, with Justice P. Scott Neville recusing himself.

State lawmakers ended the veto session in November with several bipartisan plans left on the table. This article outlines what to expect during the lame-duck session and major topics that could be addressed throughout 2025.

Central Illinois’ chief federal prosecutor has announced his retirement. U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris, who leads the Central District of Illinois submitted his resignation Monday to President Joe Biden and stated that he would retire afterwards, effective mid-day Jan. 2.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a number of new laws and rules designed to strengthen the public health system went into effect on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025.

In August, Governor JB Pritzker released a list of 265 Senate and House bills he signed into law. Pritzker took action on the 265 bills on Friday, August 9, signing all of them into law. Some of the bills went into effect at the time of his signature, while 177 went into effect on January 1, 2025.

Starting on January 1, electronic cigarette companies are prohibited from marketing their products to youths in a way that could deceive parents or guardians.

Some 300 new state laws took effect Jan. 1 covering everything from road safety to artificial intelligence, most of them passed during a two-year legislative term that enters its final days when lawmakers return to Springfield later this week. 

Illinois lawmakers in early January could consider easing requirements for residents to change their names, a move proponents say will reduce risks for victims of domestic abuse, transgender residents, and others.