Cost of lawsuits is hidden tax

Thousands of taxpayers gathered all across the state on "Tax Day" to protest the tax and spend policies coming out of Washington and Springfield.

The "Tea Party" protests occurred at a time when lawmakers are considering a 50 percent personal income tax hike - a move that would serve to only add to the state's already heavy tax burden. Illinois has the nation's 11th highest property taxes and Chicago has the highest sales tax of any major U.S. city.

But there is more to Illinois' overall tax burden than what is in the tax code. Recent news stories have highlighted how the cost of political corruption is essentially a "hidden tax." Similarly, the cost of litigation is built into the cost of every item we purchase, and it is essentially another "hidden tax" on consumers.

A recent report from Towers Perrin shows how every man, woman and child in the country pays a "lawsuit tax" of $835 per year, which for a family of four is nearly $3,500 per year. Thanks to Illinois' plaintiff friendly courts, we are paying dearly for the state's litigation climate and unfortunately, personal injury lawyers are not offering any refunds or rebates.

It is time for state leaders to heed the cry of the thousands who gathered at "Tea Parties" all across the state. If our leaders were not so complacent when it comes to the state's litigation climate and to the culture of political corruption, perhaps we would not have to continue to prop up state government with even more of our hard-earned money.

Travis Akin

Executive Director

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch