Illinois Compiled Statutes
740 ILCS 145/1 (2026)
That if any person shall falsely use, utter or publish words, which in their common acceptance, shall amount to charge any person with having been guilty of fornication or adultery, such words so spoken shall be deemed actionable, and he shall be deemed guilty of slander
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(740 ILCS 145/1)
(from Ch. 126, par. 1)
Sec. 1.
That if any person shall falsely use, utter or
publish words, which in their common acceptance, shall amount to charge any
person with having been guilty of fornication or adultery, such words so
spoken shall be deemed actionable, and he shall be deemed guilty of
slander.
(Source: R.S. 1874, p. 992.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13
cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1996–2021 · leading case: Bryson v. News Am. Publications, Inc., 672 N.E.2d 1207 (Ill. 1996).
Bryson v. News Am. Publications, Inc., 672 N.E.2d 1207 (Ill. 1996). “The Slander and Libel Act (740 ILCS 145/1 et seq. (West 1992)) has enlarged the classifications enumerated above by providing that false accusations of fornication and adultery are actionable as a matter of law.”
Dobias v. Oak Park, 2016 IL App (1st) 152205 (Ill. App. Ct. 2016). “2d at 88-89 ; 740 ILCS 145/1 et seq. (West 1992). Plaintiff raises only the first, third, and fourth categories.”
Popp v. O'neil, 730 N.E.2d 506 (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). “” Alternatively, the plaintiff argues that, even if such a privilege was applicable, it cannot extend to communications that were published to Fleming’s wife.”
Doe v. Catholic Diocese, 2015 IL App (2d) 140618 (Ill. App. Ct. 2015). “Respondents further argue that, - 13 - 2015 IL App (2d) 140618 because the fornication-or-adultery category was added by statute to the tort of defamation per se (see 740 ILCS 145/1 (West 2012)), the statute, which was adopted in derogation of the common law, must be strictly…”
Doe v. Catholic Diocese, 2015 IL App (2d) 140618 (Ill. App. Ct. 2015). “Respondents further argue that, because the fornication-or-adultery category was added by statute to the tort of defamation per se (see 740 ILCS 145/1 (West 2012)), the statute, which was adopted in derogation of the common law, must be strictly construed.”
Jasniowski v. Rushing, 678 N.E.2d 743 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997). “" 740 ILCS 145/1 (West 1994). The Adoption Act, in specifying grounds for finding a person unfit to adopt, provides: "`Unfit person' means any person whom the court shall find to be unfit to have a child, without regard to the likelihood that the child will be placed for…”
Smith v. Evans (N.D. Ill. 2019). “, the Illinois Slander and Libel Act, 740 ILCS 145/1 et seq., and Illinois tort law.”
Bryson v. News Am. Publications, Inc. (Ill. 1996). “The Slander and Libel Act (740 ILCS 145/1 et seq. (West 1992)) has enlarged the classifications enumerated above by providing that false accusations of fornication and adultery are actionable as a matter of law.”
Levin v. Abramson (N.D. Ill. 2020). “Finally, Abramson also contends that Levin’s response accused him of “swearing falsely,” and that by statute Illinois has recognized this category as an additional category of defamation per se.”
Smith v. Evans (N.D. Ill. 2021). “Smith then filed a second amended complaint, which purports to state the following claims: (1) Title VII retaliation against the City; (2) ICRA retaliation against the City; (3) a claim under the Illinois Slander and Libel Act, 740 ILCS 145/1 et seq., against the City, Flowers,…”
Kruger v. Fencel (S.D. Ill. 2021). “740 ILCS 145/1; see also Bryson v. News Am.”
Popp v. O'Neil (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). “" Alternatively, the plaintiff argues that, even if such a privilege was applicable, it cannot extend to communications that were published to Fleming's wife.”
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