Letter: Strong legal system not hurting business climate
This state's business community enjoys a rich talent pool, strong transportation and logistics networks, and access to global markets. Site Selection Magazine called Illinois second in the nation for corporate projects and Chicago the top metro for corporate relocation. Contrary to the doomsayers, businesses are relocating or expanding here because of our economic, educational and cultural advantages.
Disinformation aimed at weakening our legal system so that businesses can avoid financial accountability for harmful actions - undermining the rights of people hurt due to no fault of their own - does a disservice. The May 14 letter headlined "Legal, regulatory climate costing businesses, jobs" was loaded with spurious attacks easily discredited.
The truth is that workers' compensation claims in Illinois have declined by 36 percent since 2011. Even as workers' comp costs for employers have significantly dropped (17th lowest in the nation), profits for insurers who write workers' compensation policies have skyrocketed.
The number of lawsuits filed in Illinois has dropped 51 percent since 2010. Cook County filings have declined 54 percent. In downstate Madison County, a frequent target of critics, there has been a 51 percent reduction in lawsuits over the last decade.
The letter's author maligned a new state law permitting prejudgment interest in civil cases, but this measure actually helps individuals seeking justice by neutralizing what had been a financial incentive for deep-pocketed corporations, health care conglomerates and insurance companies to prolong cases and delay just compensation to injured people or their families. This measure levels the playing field and puts Illinois in line with 46 other states.
In fact, no one knows better how good our state is for business than the letter writer himself, whose successful Illinois business is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Patrick A. Salvi II, President,
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association