(755 ILCS 5/15‑1) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 15‑1)
   
Sec. 15‑1. Spouse's award.
   
(a) The surviving spouse of a deceased resident of this State whose estate, whether
testate or intestate, is administered in this State, shall be allowed as the surviving
spouse's own property, exempt from the enforcement of a judgment, garnishment or attachment in the possession of the representative, a sum of money that the court deems reasonable for the proper support of the surviving spouse for the period of 9 months after the death of the decedent in a manner suited to the condition in life of the surviving spouse and to the condition of the estate and an additional sum of money that the court deems reasonable for the proper support, during that period, of minor and adult dependent children of the decedent who reside with the surviving spouse at the time of decedent's death. The award may in no case be less than $10,000, together with an additional sum not less than $5,000 for each such child. The award shall be paid to the surviving spouse at such time or times, not exceeding 3 installments, as the court directs. If the surviving spouse dies before the award for his support is paid in full, the amount unpaid shall be paid to his estate. If the surviving spouse dies or abandons a child before the award for the support of a child is
paid in full, the amount unpaid shall be paid for the benefit of the child to such person as the court directs.
   
(b) The surviving spouse is entitled to the award unless the will of the decedent
expressly provides that the provisions thereof for the surviving spouse are in lieu of the
award and the surviving spouse does not renounce the will.

(Source: P.A. 87‑287.)