Are Autopsy Reports Public in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Illinois autopsy reports are not fully public records. They are released mainly to next of kin and attorneys, and held while a case is open. Here is how to request one.
5 min read
Illinois Laws
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Bankruptcy in Illinois (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Illinois bankruptcy: opted out of federal exemptions, the new $50,000 homestead under 735 ILCS 5/12-901 (2026), vehicle and wildcard amounts, means test.
7 min read
BIPA Compliance for Employers (2026): Step-by-Step
BIPA compliance for employers using fingerprint or face-scan timeclocks: the seven Section 15 steps, plus a free self-check tool. Avoid the most common violations.
4 min read
BIPA Damages: What a Violation Is Worth (2026)
BIPA damages explained: the $1,000 and $5,000 statutory amounts, why the 2024 amendment ended per-scan math, and what people actually receive in settlements.
3 min read
BIPA Explained: Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14)
BIPA, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14), explained: consent rules, the $1,000 to $5,000 penalties, key cases, and the 2024 amendment.
5 min read
BIPA Statute of Limitations: The 5-Year Deadline (2026)
The BIPA statute of limitations is five years for all claims, settled by Tims v. Black Horse Carriers (2023). How the deadline works and when the clock starts.
2 min read
Common Law Marriage in Illinois: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Illinois abolished common law marriage after June 30, 1905, under 750 ILCS 5/214. Illinois recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages via comity.
8 min read
Do You Have a BIPA Claim? Check Your Eligibility (2026)
Do you have a BIPA claim? Use our free checker. You may qualify if a private company in Illinois scanned your fingerprint or face without written consent.
2 min read
Does Illinois Have an Age Verification Law for Adult Websites? (2026)
Illinois has no age-verification law for adult content. Its enacted law, Public Act 104-0664, governs social media and device age signals instead.
5 min read
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Illinois: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
12 min read
How to Find a Cause of Death in Illinois (2026)
How to find someone's cause of death in Illinois: where it's recorded, whether it's public, who can access the death certificate, and the coroner's role.
5 min read
How to Get an Illinois Death Certificate (2026)
Get an Illinois death certificate from the IDPH Division of Vital Records or county clerk. The first certified copy is $19, each additional copy $4.
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Illinois Adoption Records: The 21+ Original Birth Certificate Rule
Illinois releases an adult adoptee's original birth certificate by default at age 21, unless a birth parent has filed for anonymity under 750 ILCS 50/18.04.
4 min read
Illinois AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Illinois AI laws including HB 3773, which amends the Human Rights Act to address AI discrimination in employment.
11 min read
Illinois AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Illinois has double exposure for AI recorders: eavesdropping law AND BIPA biometric privacy. Up to $5,000 per BIPA violation.
13 min read
Illinois At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Illinois is an at-will state, but retaliatory-discharge torts, implied-contract handbooks, and a constitutional ban on right-to-work laws create major exceptions.
7 min read
Illinois Audio Recording Laws: All-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
Illinois audio recording laws require all-party consent for private conversations under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. Learn the rules, penalties, exceptions, and how to record legally.
12 min read
Illinois Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to Illinois background check laws covering Ban the Box, Clean Slate Act, IHRA conviction record protections, the 7-year lookback rule, and employer obligations.
14 min read
Illinois Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14) requires written consent before collecting fingerprints, face scans, or other biometrics. Violations carry $1,000-$5,000 in damages per violation.
9 min read
Illinois Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Illinois is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence (51% bar). Learn the 25/50/20 insurance minimums, 2-year lawsuit deadline, and UM/UIM rules.
7 min read
Illinois Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines
Illinois car seat laws require children under 8 to use approved child restraints. Learn rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and seat belt rules plus fines.
8 min read
Illinois Child Custody Laws (2026): Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Your Rights
Illinois uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' and 'parenting time' instead of custody. Learn how courts decide best interests, the 2-year modification bar, and relocation rules.
7 min read
Illinois Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Illinois uses the Income Shares Model under 750 ILCS 5/505. Learn how guidelines work, shared parenting adjustments, modification rules, and college expenses.
9 min read
Illinois Court Records: How to Search by County and What re:SearchIL Actually Covers
Illinois court records are searched county by county. Learn what re:SearchIL covers so far, how Cook County's portal works, and how sealing works.
4 min read
Illinois Dashcam Laws: Audio Rules, Placement, and Legal Use (2026)
Illinois dashcam laws allow video-only dashcams but restrict audio recording of private conversations. Learn placement rules, police interaction guidelines, and evidence use.
8 min read
Illinois Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Learn Illinois data breach notification rules under 815 ILCS 530, including reporting timelines, AG notification thresholds, encryption safe harbor, and penalties.
9 min read
Illinois Data Privacy Laws: BIPA, Consumer Rights & Penalties (2026)
Illinois leads the nation in biometric privacy through BIPA, with penalties up to $5,000 per violation. Learn about BIPA settlements, data breach rules, and employee protections.
19 min read
Illinois Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Illinois is a closed-record state: certified death certificates go only to people with a personal, property, or genealogical interest. Records open after 20 years.
5 min read
Illinois Debt Collection Laws: The 15% Wage Cap, 2026 Exemption Increases, and Debt Deadlines
Illinois caps wage garnishment at 15% of gross pay, tighter than the federal 25% floor. Debt deadlines, 2026 exemption increases, and repossession rules.
8 min read
Illinois Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Illinois has enacted some of the strongest deepfake laws in the nation. Learn about 720 ILCS 5/11-23.7, 765 ILCS 1075 (HB 4875), BIPA, and federal law for victims.
9 min read
Illinois Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Illinois defamation laws explained: a strict 1-year statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-201), the Citizen Participation Act anti-SLAPP, and per se rules.
7 min read
Illinois Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Illinois is no-fault only since 2016. Learn the irreconcilable-differences ground, 90-day residency rule, 6-month separation presumption, and equitable distribution rules.
6 min read
Illinois Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Illinois dog bite laws under 510 ILCS 5/16: strict liability rules, the 2-year statute of limitations, dangerous dog penalties, and victim rights.
10 min read
Illinois Drone Laws (2026): Police Warrants, Privacy, and Hunting
Illinois requires police to get a warrant before using a drone, under the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act. Civilian privacy and hunting rules explained.
8 min read
Illinois DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Illinois DUI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense penalties under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the statutory summary suspension, BAIID, and felony thresholds.
8 min read
Illinois E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Illinois requires riders to be 18 or older and lets cities opt in or stay out under 625 ILCS 5/11-1518. There is no statewide helmet requirement, and scooters cannot use state highways.
6 min read
Illinois Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Illinois (2026)
Illinois emancipation law explained: 750 ILCS 30 petition process for mature minors aged 16-17, partial vs. complete emancipation, no-objection rule, marriage and military routes, and effects on child support and FAFSA.
9 min read
Illinois Employee Monitoring Laws (2026): BIPA, Recording & More
Illinois employee monitoring law explained: all-party consent recording, the social media password ban, and BIPA's notice and consent rules for biometric time clocks.
10 min read
Illinois Expungement Laws: Eligibility, Sealing, and How to File (2026)
Illinois distinguishes expungement from sealing under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Learn who qualifies, waiting periods, excluded offenses (DUI is ineligible), and how to petition the circuit court.
7 min read
Illinois Final Paycheck Laws: Deadline, Penalties, PTO Rules
Illinois requires final pay at separation if possible, or your next payday at the latest, and bans forfeiting earned vacation. Full breakdown.
4 min read
Illinois GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Illinois? 720 ILCS 5/21-2.5 explained: owner consent rules, employer tracking, AirTag stalking, and penalties.
8 min read
Illinois Grandparents' Rights: The Harm Standard Under §602.9
Illinois grandparent visitation requires proof of undue harm to the child, not just a best-interest finding. Standing triggers and the real standard.
5 min read
Illinois Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn Illinois hit and run laws, penalties by offense level, reporting deadlines, and your legal duties after an accident under 625 ILCS 5/11-401 through 11-404.
11 min read
Illinois Identity Theft Laws: Statute, Penalties, and the AG Hotline
Illinois identity theft law (720 ILCS 5/16-30) tiers penalties by dollar value and adds aggravated identity theft for victims 60+ or with a disability.
8 min read
Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights
Illinois security deposit rules, return deadlines, notice to enter, habitability rights, and rent control preemption explained for 2026.
7 min read
Illinois Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Camera Rules and Privacy Rights (2026)
Illinois landlord-tenant recording laws govern security cameras, audio surveillance, and privacy rights in rental properties. Learn placement rules and legal limits.
8 min read
Illinois Laws on Recording in Public: What You Can and Cannot Record (2026)
Illinois public recording laws allow recording conversations without consent when no privacy expectation exists. Learn the rules for streets, events, and government meetings.
8 min read
Illinois Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Protections (2026)
Illinois law explicitly allows recording police officers performing public duties. Learn your rights, legal protections, body camera rules, and what to do if stopped.
9 min read
Illinois Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify and Get a Refund
Illinois lemon law (815 ILCS 380) gives you a refund or replacement after 4 failed repairs or 30 days out of service within 12 months/12,000 miles.
12 min read
Illinois Maintenance (Alimony) Laws: The Formula Explained (2026)
Illinois calls spousal support "maintenance." A statutory formula under 750 ILCS 5/504 sets amount (33.3% payer net minus 25% recipient net, capped at 40% combined) and duration (marriage years x multiplier) when combined income is under $500,000.
9 min read
Illinois Marriage and Divorce Records: County Clerks Hold the Copies
Illinois issues no certified marriage or divorce copies. IDPH sells a $5 verification from 1962; certified copies come from the county clerk or circuit clerk.
4 min read
Illinois Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent Rules (2026)
Illinois medical recording laws govern patient recordings of doctor visits, hospital surveillance, and HIPAA compliance. Learn consent rules and legal protections.
9 min read
Illinois Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
Illinois medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
13 min read
Illinois Name Change Laws: How to Legally Change Your Name
Illinois eliminated newspaper publication for name changes in 2025. Here is the current circuit court process, residency rule, fees, and offender restrictions.
4 min read
Illinois Nursing Home Camera Laws: 210 ILCS 32 and the 2027 Assisted Living Expansion
Illinois nursing home camera law under 210 ILCS 32: roommate consent, cost, penalties, and why assisted living coverage does not start until January 1, 2027.
9 min read
Illinois Phone Call Recording Laws: All-Party Consent Rules (2026)
Illinois phone call recording laws require all-party consent under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. Learn rules for business calls, interstate calls, and recording apps.
9 min read
Illinois Police Body Camera Laws: Mandate & Retention (2026)
Illinois requires bodycams statewide under 50 ILCS 706. Retention, FOIA access rules, and how the Sonya Massey case tested the law, explained for 2026.
8 min read
Illinois Police Reports: Crash Reports, Incident Reports, and Bodycam Footage
Buy an Illinois crash report through ISP E-Pay or BuyCrash, request an incident report under FOIA, and see the state's detailed bodycam disclosure law.
4 min read
Illinois Pornography Laws (2026): Legality & No AV Law Yet
Illinois pornography law: obscenity rules, why there's still no adult age-verification law, CSAM penalties, and revenge porn statutes.
11 min read
Illinois Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
Illinois Power of Attorney Act (755 ILCS 45): property POA requires one witness and notarization; health care POA covered in Article IV. Both types explained with execution rules, agent duties, and revocation.
9 min read