IL SB1748

Plaintiff has the right to designate an additional person to be present and video record physical or mental examinations ordered by defendants in litigation.

Age threshold for trial preference reduced from 70 to 67 years old for individuals and surviving spouses or next of kin in wrongful death actions.

Trial preference must commence within one year of the hearing on the motion, with courts required to grant preference when substantial physical or financial hardship is shown or good cause exists.

Trial setting applies only to the moving party and defendants who have appeared and answered at the time the motion is served; new parties added later may move to amend the trial setting for up to one year from their appearance.

Parties may move for trial continuance of up to 6 months for good cause, with subsequent continuances granted only as necessary for trial to proceed as soon as practicable.