My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois
I was charged with a felony destruction of property after some damage was done in my friends neighborhood. I didn't do it, and as such the state had very little evidence to convict me. I did have a co-defendant, who also had 4 other different criminal charges going on at the time. After over a year in court, the third attempt at a trial came and the states witnesses didn't show up again. Rather than continuing the case again, my co-defendant accepted a plea to a misdemeanor for the property damage along with getting some of his other charges dropped. Part of his plea agreement was that I would walk.
I got my court records from my lawyer today and it says that I was dismissed nol pros. From what I understand, that the state can re-instate the charges back. My question is if there is a time limit on this. I don't want to wait 5 years and then they charge me with it again. Is there a statute on this?
Also, what is the probability that I can sue them for malicious prosecution. I had to pay around $10,000 for my lawyer, and I made about 12 court appearances. The whole time I was scared of getting a felony conviction. If I attempted to sue would they re-instate the charges right away to get back at me?

