MCLE - Illinois

    Detailed jurisdiction information about MCLE regulations and general information accreditation of ABA CLE events, webinars, teleconferences, and on-demand CLE courses.

    MCLE Rule Changes

    The IL Supreme Court will provide attorneys with last names beginning A-M who are in the 2018-2020 reporting period the option to secure a no-cost, three-month extension to complete their credits.

    • Attorneys who complete their credits by June 30, 2020 will report compliance at any time by July 31, 2020 at no cost.
    • For attorneys who do not complete their credits by June 30, 2020, they will report “Not Yet Complied” to the Board online at www.mcleboard.org by July 31, 2020 to secure the three-month extension at no cost.
      • No reason for the extension is needed.
      • Those attorneys then have until September 30, 2020 to complete their credits and report compliance to the Board.

    https://www.illinoislawyernow.com/2020/04/attorneys-with-june-20-2020-as-their-mcle-compliance-deadline-may-choose-a-three-month-extension-at-no-cost/

    MCLE Requirements

    Credit hours required: 30 hours per reporting period 

    Specialty credits required:  6 hours of professional responsibility credit, which must include 4 hours of ethics, 1 hour of diversity and inclusion, and 1 hour of mental illness & substance abuse credit.

    Length of reporting period: 2 years

    Compliance date: June 30

    Reporting date: July 31

    Compliance group: There are 2 compliance groups: attorneys with last names beginning A through M are required to report in even numbered years (2018, 2020, 2022, etc.); attorneys with last names beginning N through Z are required to report in odd numbered years (2017, 2019, 2021, etc.).

    Minutes per credit hour: 60 minutes. To calculate credit for a specific program, divide the total length of the program in minutes by 60 and round down to the nearest quarter hour.

    Attendance Reporting Procedure: Attorneys must self-report completion of CLE requirements each reporting period. The ABA does not send certificates of attendance to the Illinois MCLE board.

    Approval of ABA Programs

    The ABA is an accredited CLE provider in Illinois and is approved for the following formats. 

    Approved ABA Live Program Formats 
    Live, in-person meetings (e.g., National Institutes)
    Live Webinars and Teleconferences

    Approved ABA CLE Product Formats
    On-Demand Online Courses

    Recorded audio/video programs are approved for a two-year period from the original production/recording date. Attorneys may not use a product for credit in Illinois that was produced more than 24 months prior to the date of use.

    State Contact Information

    MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois
    200 West Madison Street, Suite 900
    Chicago, IL 60606
    (312) 924-2420
    E-mail 
    Website

    A Note about MCLE Credit

    The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. Each state has its own rules and regulations indicating what qualifies for CLE credit. Certain programs, subjects, and formats may not receive credit in some states and there may be specific rules regarding who may earn credit or the maximum number of credit hours that may be earned with specific formats. Please contact your state MCLE regulatory entity for specific questions about your MCLE rules.