Every day we seem to be inundated with yet even more grim economic news. With the nation’s economy apparently teetering, Illinois is in the uncomfortable position of facing the possibility of a recession without the luxury of ever fully recovering from the last one.
From 2001 to 2006, the United States economy added about 4.3 million jobs. During that same time period, Illinois managed to lose 60,000 jobs.
One reason for this is Illinois’ unfair and unbalanced civil justice system. Illinois is ranked 46th in the country for judicial fairness, and just last week the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) released the 2008 Tort Liability Index report and ranked Illinois 47th in the country for tort costs and 46th in the nation for tort laws.
This report confirms what we already know to be true – Illinois is “The Lawsuit Magnet of the Midwest.” For far too long, we have been engaged in the illogical practice of importing lawsuits while at the same time exporting jobs and opportunities.
Illinois will continue to be a magnet for out-of-state personal injury lawyers until our legislators pass common sense legal reforms such as the venue reform bill (HB 5289) requiring plaintiffs to file lawsuits in the county where the alleged loss or damage took place.
It is time for Illinois residents to stand together and put pressure on our lawmakers to do the right thing and make restoring fairness to our courts a top priority.
Travis Akin
Executive director
Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Marion, IL
