2020 Articles

On Dec. 31, 2019, the Second District Appellate Court found that the trial court had not erred in admitting during sentencing a videotaped statement made to police that was taken in violation of the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

The Department of Insurance has adopted a number of amendments that update general provisions of the Insurance Code.

The Blockchain Technology Act permits blockchain and smart contracts. Smart contracts are defined as contracts stored as electronic records and verified by the use of a blockchain.

Public Act 101-0513 will allow gender-neutral markers on both Illinois driver’s licenses and Illinois identification cards.

The State Police Merit Board adopted an amendment to the Procedures of the Department of State Police Merit Board, implementing Public Act 101-374 and replacing an emergency rule that was effective Dec. 2, 2019.

Public Act 101-0642 amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to include emergency provisions for the 2020 General Election in November.

The Department of Employment Security adopted an amendment to the Part titled Payment of Unemployment Contributions, Interest and Penalties.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources adopted two amendments to the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Fauna and the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora, implementing the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act (520 ILCS 10).

The plaintiff and defendant entered into a written contract, under which the plaintiff provided equipment consulting services to the defendant.

On Dec. 18, 2019, the Third District Appellate Court found that the trial court had not abused its discretion when it dismissed a juror who slept through portions of a first-degree murder proceeding and ignored photographic evidence.

The Office of the Treasurer has made a number of changes to the Secure Choice Savings Program (SCSP) that will affect small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

On July 13, 2020, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court found an expert’s testimony inadmissible because the expert witness was not present at the time of the defendant’s offense.

On July 23, 2020, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court found that a plaintiff who waited 11 days to report a hit-and-run accident did so “as soon as practicable” under the circumstances.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the June 5, 2019, Appropriations Act. The amendments increased the amount of funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Judiciary Inquiry Board to meet its ordinary contingent expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

The Secretary of State has updated the offense code table after the legalization of recreational cannabis in Illinois.The Department of Healthcare and Family Service has adopted several amendments to the department’s medical payment procedures.