News & Announcements
Notices
July 2026 Laptop Program
REGISTRATION OPENS: Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10 AM central time
REGISTRATION CLOSES: Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 10 AM central time
The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar (IBAB) contracts with ILG 360® for the use of ILG Technologies’ ILG Exam 360® technology, which allows Illinois bar applicants to use laptop computers to type their answers to the bar examination’s written components. July 2026 examinees may register for the laptop program for a registration fee of $135. The registration fee covers the software license, technical support, supervision, and administrative costs.
When registration opens on Jube 4th, July applicants will receive detailed instructions via email from noreply@illinois.ilgexam360.com. We strongly urge you to add this email address to your contacts so that you can receive emails from Exam 360®. At that time, applicants will also be given access to the ILG Exam 360® portal via their IBAB user homepages.
After registration opens, you must download and install Exam 360® on the laptop you will use at the bar exam. After you have installed the software, you will complete the Trial Exam and upload it. You MUST install the software and upload the Trial Exam by Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10 AM central time or your Exam 360® account will be deactivated, and you will handwrite the July 2026 bar exam.
FAQ's
When do I upload my answers?
- You are required to upload your answers by the deadline listed below. You may upload any time prior to the deadline.
- EXAM UPLOAD DEADLINE: 2:00 AM central time July 29, 2026. This deadline may differ slightly if you are an applicant testing under nonstandard testing accommodations (NTA)
Will there be Internet Connectivity at the Test Site?
- We will NOT have wireless internet connection at the examination sites. It will be your responsibility to gain access to an internet connection at some other location and upload your answer files.
Do I use a backup method to save my answer files on exam day?
- The Board does not permit applicants to create or submit backup copies of answer files on USB memory sticks, or in any other manner.
Are there character limits for my answers on the actual bar exam?
- No. There are no word or character limits for any MPT or MEE answers. Applicants may continue to type within a test session's allotted time with no character limitations.
Can I bring a backup laptop to the exam?
- No. Bringing a backup laptop to the exam is not permitted. ILG Exam360® technicians will be available to provide on-site technical assistance during the exam. NO EXTRA TIME OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF WILL BE GRANTED in the event of technical problems or laptop failure during the exam or in the event that an exam file is deleted or otherwise altered.
Can I bring an external keyboard and external mouse to the exam?
- You may bring an external keyboard and external mouse to the exam. A mouse pad is not permitted.
Will I receive paper test booklets containing the exam questions if I am using my laptop?
- Yes, you will receive paper test booklets containing the exam questions.
Will I be able to use spellcheck?
- Yes, spellcheck with suggestions will be enabled within Exam360®.
Will I be able to plug my laptop in at the exam?
- Yes, you will be able to plug your laptop into a power strip. ATTENTION MAC USERS: If you have a Mac with the below power adaptor, we strongly urge you to bring a small extension cord under 12 inches in length with you (pictured below). The Mac power adaptor takes up too much space on a power strip that you must share with other examinees who have the same need to plug in their laptop.
News
July 2026 Illinois Bar Exam Hotel Rooms
The Palmer House Hilton, located at 17 E. Monroe in Chicago, is offering a discounted guest room rate of $259 +tax per night for Illinois bar examinees. Reservations must be made by June 24th.
Booking Link: https://book.passkey.com/go/JulyBarExam2026
REDUCED-PRICE ROOMS ARE GENERALLY RESERVED WELL BEFORE THE DEADLINE SO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO EXPAND THE ROOM BLOCK, AND THE BOARD MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF ROOM AVAILABILITY OR REDUCED RATE AT THE PALMER HOUSE HILTON.
Some additions to the news Some additions to the news Some additions to the news Some additions to the news
February 2026 Illinois Bar Examination
Notices of Eligibility (seat assignments) will be posted to the user homepages of all applicants eligible to take the February 2026 Illinois bar examination by end of day on February 10th. Applicants who do not receive Notices of Eligibility, and who have not formally withdrawn, are ineligible to take the bar examination for one or more reasons and should contact their assigned file analyst.
Applicants: Read the Notice of Eligibility and exam instructions carefully. You can access the exam instructions below:
UBE Instructions - all sessions
Nonstandard Testing: For applicants with nonstandard testing accommodations, Notices of Eligibility explain how you have been provided with test site information, individualized instructions, testing schedules, etc. This is the update.
February 2026 Illinois Bar Exam Hotel Rooms
The Palmer House Hilton, located at 17 E. Monroe in Chicago, is offering a discounted guest room rate of $169 +tax per night for Illinois bar examinees. Reservations must be made by February 11th.
Booking Link: https://book.passkey.com/go/FEB2026BAREXAM
REDUCED-PRICE ROOMS ARE GENERALLY RESERVED WELL BEFORE THE DEADLINE SO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO EXPAND THE ROOM BLOCK, AND THE BOARD MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF ROOM AVAILABILITY OR REDUCED RATE AT THE PALMER HOUSE HILTON.
ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS WILL ACCEPT TRANSFERRED SCORES FROM THE JULY 2026 NEXTGEN UNIFORM BAR EXAMINATION
The Illinois Supreme Court has approved a new order affirming its intention to accept transferred NextGen UBE scores in a timely manner, beginning with the July 2026 NextGen UBE.
Further information will be forthcoming once the Board submits a recommendation for establishing a passing score on the NextGen UBE.
A copy of the Court’s Order and accompanying press release can be found below:
February 2026 Administrative Accommodation Request Form
Bar exam applicants seeking an administrative accommodation at the exam must fill out an Administrative Accommodation Request Form.
An administrative accommodation provides courtesy assistance to applicants with certain health-related issues in standard test room environments that follow the standard testing schedule.
Common examples of Administrative Accommodation requests:
● MEDICAL DEVICE - Permission to bring a medical device or support such as lumbar cushion, boot, brace, sling, diabetic supply, glucose monitor, insulin pump, inhaler, epi-pen, etc., into the test room.
● SPECIAL SEATING - due to a medical condition (e.g., near restroom due to late-stage pregnancy) or need for space for a wheelchair, scooter, crutches, or other orthopedic device.
● MEDICATION - Permission to bring over the counter or prescription medication for medical reasons into the testing area. If you plan to bring over the counter or prescription medication to keep in the designated storage area to take over your lunch break, you do not need to request an administrative accommodation.
● BREAST PUMPING - Permission to bring a lactation pump with accessories and cooler with ice packs and to be provided a space to use the pump during restroom or lunch breaks without stop-the-clock breaks.
The Administrative Accommodation Request Form and medical documentation must be received by our office on or before January 15th. As noted on the form, email the completed form and medical documentation to Stephany Shipp at sshipp@ilbaradmissions.org.
Administrative Accommodation Request Form: https://www.ilbaradmissions.org/getpdfform.action?id=1700