ILLINOIS LAW UPDATE

As you may recall, we previously reported to you that the Illinois legislature amended its statute 735 ILCS 5/1105 reducing the number of jurors required for a trial from 12 to 6 for all cases filed on or after June 1, 2015. Since that has become effective, the amendment has been under attack as unconstitutional and is currently before Judge Gomolinski of the Cook County Circuit Court. The lead case is Kakos v. Butler, 15 L 6691 and the issue is currently being briefed with oral arguments set to be heard on December 21, 2015 at 12 noon. While the court indicated it would entertain extensive argument, it refused submission of any amicus briefs. The court indicated a ruling would be made by the end of this year.