Illinois' lawsuit climate deters jobs

Gov. Pat Quinn's inauguration on Tuesday will be the highlight of Springfield's new governing year, but many Illinois residents are left asking if much will change. Especially when it comes to Illinois' abusive lawsuit climate. As Gov. Quinn takes to the dance floor to celebrate, Illinoisans across the state are still under the cloak of a corrupt and unjust legal system, and many wonder — will Gov. Quinn's first dance be with the trail lawyers?

For far too long, Illinois' lawsuit climate has been a drain on our state's reputation and our economy. Last year wasn't any different. Four Illinois counties — Cook, Madison, St. Clair and McLean — received dishonorable mention in the 2010 Judicial Hellholes Report, exposing their legal systems as being stacked in favor of the trial lawyers and allowing rampant lawsuit abuse.

It's time Gov. Quinn act to change this trend before our justice system is beyond repair. This problem doesn't only affect our courtrooms, it affects our economy on a state and local level. The climate may attract trial lawyers and lawsuits, but it repels jobs and businesses from calling the Prairie State home. A recent survey by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform found that the great majority of employers consider a state's lawsuit climate to be an important factor in deciding where to locate or do business.

Illinois needs new jobs, not a bigger breeding ground for predatory lawsuits and litigation anarchy. It is now in Gov. Quinn's hands to enact reforms to our justice system that can attract jobs and business back to Illinois. I urge you to pressure Gov. Quinn and our new legislature to make changes to our civil justice system. It's the first step to turning Illinois back to the prosperity it once enjoyed.

Edward D. Murnane

Arlington Heights

President

Illinois Civil Justice League