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On Friday, July 19, 2024, Governor JB Pritzker signs HB 4351 - Now PA 103-0671
HB 4351 provides that parties seeking to utilize special process service (versus using the Sheriff’s office) within Cook County will no longer be required to file motion with the Court for approval to do so. This bill brings Cook County into line with every other county in Illinois by removing the burdensome motion that has previously been required of parties. PA 103-0671 will be effective January 1, 2025. Click here for a link to the Public Act.
ITLA is grateful for the leadership of House Judiciary Chair Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and Senate Judiciary Chair Rob Martwick in sponsoring this initiative.
On Friday, August 11, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 219
The enactment of House Bill 219 provides that punitive damages are now also available when a defendant’s reprehensible behavior results in a victim’s death and are subject to the same burden of proof and standards of review applicable to punitive damages in injury cases. HB 219 is now PA 103-0514. Click here for full text of the legislation.
On Friday, August 11, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 2231
The enactment of House Bill 2231 removes the special common carrier exemption that was granted to the rideshare industry in 2015 and ensures that all for-hire livery operators in Illinois are held to the same safety standard. HB 2231 is now PA 103-0527. Click here for full text of the legislation.
On Friday, July 28, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed PA 103-0388.
This was an ITLA legislative initiative expanding and protecting our client's rights that includes meaningful trial preference and recording of physical exams. ITLA leadership and staff worked extremely hard to get these protections enacted. Click here for the full text of the legislation.
On Friday, May 28, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 72 into law.
The bill provides for prejudgment interest at 6% per annum for a maximum of 5 years from the date of filing, or July 1, 2021, the effective date of the statute for pending cases. There is also a provision which provides a set off between a written settlement offer extended within 12 months of filing, (or 12 months from the July 1 effective date of the statute for pending cases) and an ultimate judgment. That provision allows interest to accrue only the difference between the written settlement offer and the judgment of the offer is rejected. Click here for the full text of the legislation.
On Friday, August 16, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 1571 into law.
Senate Bill 1571 repeals subsections 1705 -1719 of 735 ILCS 5/Art. II Part 17. In effect, the bill would remove the provisions which allow for the election of “periodic payment” of judgments for future damages in medical malpractice cases, and other provisions, which detail the cumbersome processes under which those payments would occur.
SB 1571 was sponsored by Senator Don Harmon and Representative Ann Williams.
SB 1571 is now Public Act 101-404. Click here for a full text of the legislation.
On Friday, August 2, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 2233 into law. HB 2233 does the following:
- Allows judges to determine whether or not special interrogatories are appropriate for their cases after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances.
- Provides a process by which courts and juries may reconcile potential conflicts between general verdicts and special interrogatories.
- Ensures that juries understand the implications of special interrogatories, and provides all parties the opportunity to explain the process to juries prior to their deliberations.
The new law applies to trials commencing on or after January 1, 2020.
HB 2233 was sponsored by Representative André Thapedi and Senator John Mulroe.
HB 2233 is now Public Act 101-184. Click here for a full text of the legislation.
On Friday, June 21, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 2472 into law. HB 2472 clarifies the original intent of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, which was always meant to provide remedies for consumers in cases of bodily injury, death, or property damage.
This legislation makes clear that the legislature would never “specifically authorize” any action, service or transaction that causes or contributes to cause property damage, injury, or death.
HB 2472 was sponsored by Representative Kelly Burke and Senator Terry Link.
HB 2472 is now Public Act 101-25. Click here for a full text of the legislation.
On Friday, May 17, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 1596 into law. SB 1596 allows victims of exposure to toxic substances in the workplace who are diagnosed with latent diseases after the 25-year time bar imposed by the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Disease Act to pursue justice in Illinois’ courts. This legislation was in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Folta decision. This legislation has an immediate effective date.
SB 1596 was sponsored by Senator Elgie Sims and Representative Jay Hoffman.
SB 1596 is now Public Act 101-6. Click here for a full text of the legislation.
