Pass reforms to cut frivolous lawsuits

Thank you to my fellow members of the Prospect Heights City Council for unanimously passing a resolution to call on the Illinois General Assembly to pass meaningful lawsuit reforms.

Our city's employers have enough burdens (including our county's massive sales tax) without having to worry about frivolous lawsuits putting them out of business.

Here in Cook County, the threat of frivolous lawsuits is real. A survey released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform finds that Cook County is rated as the second-worst jurisdiction in the country for lawsuit abuse, and Illinois is ranked as one of the worst states in the country.

Perhaps most troubling about this study's findings is that nearly two-thirds of respondents -- who are senior attorneys at major American employers -- say a state's legal climate can affect important decisions, such as where to locate or do business.

With a poor legal climate like ours -- combined with our excessive tax burden -- how can we ever hope to attract good paying jobs to Cook County?

I was proud to introduce this resolution on behalf of our city's employers. I commend my fellow aldermen for passing it.

Alderman Richard Hamen

Prospect Heights