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What changed Starting January 1, 2027, Illinois landlords face new rules on what fees they can charge tenants and how those fees have to be disclosed. The law, House Bill 3564, was signed in June 2026 and amends the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act. That makes it statewide, so it covers a rental house in Mackinaw or a fourplex in Morton the same as an apartment building in Chicago.

If you serve on a township board, a village board, a road district or a water or sanitary district, you have probably fielded a Freedom of Information Act request or two. Maybe it was a neighbor asking for meeting minutes. Maybe it was a reporter. Maybe it was someone you’ve never heard of asking for every email from the last three years. FOIA is one of the few laws that applies the same way to every public body in Illinois, whether you have one employee or fifty. And over the past couple of months, the courts and the Attorney General’s office have handed down three decisions that change how small public bodies should think about their responses. Here’s what happened, and what it means for you. 

An estate plan is only a snapshot of the day you signed it. See which life changes call for a review and how to check your documents and beneficiaries.

Illinois has new rules for e-bikes and e-scooters. Learn what changed and what municipalities should review in their local ordinances.

Illinois's $4 million estate tax threshold can catch farm and business families off guard. Here's what it means for your family and how to plan ahead.

A Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney are two important tools that help guide medical decisions when you are unable to speak for yourself. While they serve different purposes, using them together can provide clarity, flexibility, and peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. Planning for future medical decisions is difficult because no one can predict what their health will look like years from now. Still, having a plan in place can make an enormous difference when decisions need to be made quickly and under stress. Illinois law recognizes several types of health care directives designed to make your wishes clear if you become unable to make medical decisions on your own. Two of the most common are a Living Will and a Power of Attorney for Health Care. While they sound similar, they work in different ways. Let’s walk through how each one functions and why many people choose to have both.

A Transfer on Death Instrument allows Illinois homeowners to pass real estate directly to loved ones without probate. It keeps ownership fully in your control during life while ensuring a smoother transfer after death. When done correctly, it can be a simple and cost-effective estate planning tool. For many families, a home is more than just property. It is where memories are made, traditions are built, and life unfolds over decades. It’s no surprise that one of the most common estate planning questions we hear is: What’s the easiest way to make sure my house goes to my family? Illinois law offers an option that works well in many situations — the Transfer on Death Instrument , often called a TODI. Let’s walk through what it does, how it works, and what to watch out for.

Summary: This holiday season is a natural time to think about gifts that bring long-term security to your family. Options such as annual gifting, direct payments for education or medical expenses, trusts, and updated beneficiary forms help you support loved ones while reducing future tax pressure. With a few thoughtful steps, you can enter the new year with a clearer estate plan for the people who matter most.

Summary: Probate and estate administration make sure a person’s affairs are properly handled after they pass away, from paying debts to transferring property. Whether an estate goes through probate depends on its size and what types of assets it includes. Illinois law now makes it easier for families with smaller estates to settle matters without full court involvement.