special benefit privilege (Illinois) · Go Syfert
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special benefit privilege in Illinois

31 Illinois opinions name it 2 courts 1986–2026 4 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Illinois courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (10)

CaseFollowedCited
Crusius v. Illinois Gaming Boardgreen
ill · 2005 · cited in 11 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2012–2025
2 sentences

2025It “prohibits the General Assembly from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.” Crusius v. Illinois Gaming Board, 216 Ill. 2d 315, 325 (2005) (explaining that a special legislation challenge is typically reviewed “under the - 19 - No. 1-23-0803 same standards applicable to an equal protection challenge”).

2023We disagree. ¶ 215 i. The Applicable Law ¶ 216 “The special legislation clause prohibits the General Assembly from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.” Crusius v. Illinois Gaming Board, 216 Ill. 2d 315, 325 , 837 N.E.2d 88, 95 (2005).

711
Big Sky Excavating, Inc. v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co.green
ill · 2005 · cited in 6 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2006–2020
2 sentences

2020To determine whether a law constitutes special - 32 - legislation, a court must determine (1) “whether the statutory classification at issue discriminates in favor of a select group and against a similarly situated group” and (2) “if the classification does so discriminate, *** whether the classification is arbitrary.” Id. ¶ 86 First, “laws will not be regarded as improper special legislation merely because they affect only one class of entities and not another.” Big Sky Excavating, Inc. v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., 217 Ill. 2d 221, 236 , 840 N.E.2d 1174, 1183 (2005).

2020To determine whether a law constitutes special - 32 - legislation, a court must determine (1) “whether the statutory classification at issue discriminates in favor of a select group and against a similarly situated group” and (2) “if the classification does so discriminate, *** whether the classification is arbitrary.” Id. ¶ 86 First, “laws will not be regarded as improper special legislation merely because they affect only one class of entities and not another.” Big Sky Excavating, Inc. v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., 217 Ill. 2d 221, 236 , 840 N.E.2d 1174, 1183 (2005).

46
Elementary School District 159 v. Schillergreen
ill · 2006 · cited in 4 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2007–2016
2 sentences

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

24
Best v. Taylor MacHine Worksgreen
ill · 1997 · cited in 4 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2005–2013
2 sentences

2013Best, 179 Ill. 2d at 391 .

2013Best, 179 Ill. 2d at 391 .

24
The Board of Education of Peoria School District No. 150 v. The Peoria Federation of Support Staffgreen
ill · 2013 · cited in 2 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

22
Bridgewater v. Hotzgreen
ill · 1972 · cited in 2 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

2016The majority even recognizes this: “If an entity is uniquely situated, the special legislation clause will not bar the legislature from enacting a law tailored specifically to address the conditions of that particular entity.” (Emphasis in original.) Supra ¶ 22; Peoria School District, 2013 IL 114853, ¶ 55 (“Nothing in the constitution bars the legislature from enacting a law specifically addressing the conditions of an entity that is uniquely situated.” (citing Elementary School District 159 v. Schiller, 221 Ill. 2d 130, 154 (2006))); Bridgewater, 51 Ill. 2d at 109 (holding that the constitut

22
Board of Education of Peoria School District No. 150 v. Peoria Federation of Support Staffgreen
illappct · 2012 · cited in 2 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2013–2013
2 sentences

2013The court noted that the special legislation clause prohibits the legislature from “ ‘conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.’ ” 2012 IL App (4th) 110875, ¶ 18 (quoting Crusius, 216 Ill. 2d at 325 ).

2013The court noted that the special legislation clause prohibits the legislature from “ ‘conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.’ ” 2012 IL App (4th) 110875, ¶ 18 (quoting Crusius, 216 Ill. 2d at 325 ).

22
Allen v. Woodfield Chevrolet, Inc.green
ill · 2003 · cited in 2 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
2 sentences

2005Allen v. Woodfield Chevrolet, Inc. , 208 Ill. 2d 12, 21 (2003), citing Best v. Taylor Machine Works , 179 Ill. 2d 367, 391 (1997).

2005Allen v. Woodfield Chevrolet, Inc., 208 Ill. 2d 12, 21 (2003), citing Best v. Taylor Machine Works, 179 Ill. 2d 367, 391 (1997).

22
Moline School District v. Quinngreen
ill · 2016 · cited in 4 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2019–2020
2 sentences

2020The clause prohibits the legislature “from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group of persons and excluding others that are similarly situated.” Moline School District No. 40 Board of Education v. Quinn, 2016 IL 119704, ¶ 18 .

2019The clause prohibits the legislature “from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group of persons and excluding others that are similarly situated.” Moline School District No. 40 Board of Education v. Quinn, 2016 IL 119704, ¶ 18 .

14
Caulkins v. Pritzkergreen
ill · 2023 · cited in 1 Illinois opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026See id.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Illinois. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. v. Thompson green
ill · 1985
2 sentences

2003Chicago National League Ball Club, 108 Ill.2d at 367 , 91 Ill.Dec. 610 , 483 N.E.2d 1245 .

2003Chicago National League Ball Club, 108 Ill.2d at 367 , 91 Ill.Dec. 610 , 483 N.E.2d 1245 .

41986–2003
Piccioli v. Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System green
ill · 2019
2 sentences

2024This clause “prohibits the General Assembly from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Piccoli v. Board of Trustees of Teachers’ Retirement System, 2019 IL 122905, ¶ 18 .

2020The clause “prohibits the General Assembly from conferring a special benefit or privilege upon one person or group and excluding others that are similarly situated.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Piccioli, 2019 IL 122905, ¶ 18 .

32020–2024
Village of Vernon Hills v. Vernon Fire Protection District green
ill · 1995
2 sentences

2006Big Sky, 217 Ill. 2d at 235 ; Village of Vernon Hills, 168 Ill. 2d at 122 .

2006Big Sky, 217 Ill. 2d at 235 ; Village of Vernon Hills, 168 Ill. 2d at 122 .

22006–2006
Miller v. Rosenberg green
ill · 2001
2 sentences

2002Miller, 196 Ill.2d at 60 , 255 Ill.Dec. 464 , 749 N.E.2d at 953 .

2002Miller, 196 Ill.2d at 60 , 255 Ill.Dec. 464 , 749 N.E.2d at 953 .

22002–2002
In re M.A. green
ill · 2015
1 sentence

2020And in an equal protection challenge, where the party challenging the legislation’s constitutionality “fails to show that he is similarly situated to the comparison group, his equal protection challenge fails.” In re M.A., 2015 IL 118049, ¶ 26 . ¶ 29 Austin has not met its burden, as it fails to show, let alone explain, how a two-year statute of limitations for claims and causes of action against insurance producers (and limited insurance representatives and registered firms) is a special benefit or privilege conferred upon this group at the expense of others that are similarly situated.

12020–2020
Fireside Chrysler-Plymouth, Mazda, Inc. v. Edgar green
ill · 1984
1 sentence

1986(Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. v. Thompson (1985), 108 Ill. 2d 357, 367 ; Fireside Chrysler-Plymouth, Mazda, Inc. v. Edgar (1984), 102 Ill. 2d 1, 4 .) “It arbitrarily, and without a sound, reasonable basis, discriminates in favor of a select group.” (Emphasis in original.) Illinois Polygraph Society v. Pellicano (1980), 83 Ill. 2d 130,137-38 .

11986–1986
Illinois Polygraph Society v. Pellicano green
ill · 1980
1 sentence

1986(Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. v. Thompson (1985), 108 Ill. 2d 357, 367 ; Fireside Chrysler-Plymouth, Mazda, Inc. v. Edgar (1984), 102 Ill. 2d 1, 4 .) “It arbitrarily, and without a sound, reasonable basis, discriminates in favor of a select group.” (Emphasis in original.) Illinois Polygraph Society v. Pellicano (1980), 83 Ill. 2d 130,137-38 .

11986–1986

Statutes the citing opinions construe

IL § 230 ILCS 10/11.2 (6) IL § 5 ILCS 315/3 (5) IL § 5 ILCS 315/1 (4) IL § 735 ILCS 5/2-615 (4) IL § 115 ILCS 5/1 (3) IL § 230 ILCS 10/1 (3) IL § 5 ILCS 315/2 (3) IL § 735 ILCS 5/2-1005 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

IL 31 (1986–2026) CA 10 (1975–2022) MN 4 (2011–2016) NY 3 (1951–1991) FL 3 (2000–2010) MI 2 (1984–2014)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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