"Understandably, Illinois has climbed up the list of 'judicial hellholes' and it's costing you," Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi wrote. | Facebook/State Representative Deanne Mazzochi
"Understandably, Illinois has climbed up the list of 'judicial hellholes' and it's costing you," Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi wrote. | Facebook/State Representative Deanne Mazzochi
Several Republican lawmakers in Illinois have criticized the state's tort law which they believe allows for "frivolous lawsuits" that cost both tax payers and hinder potential economic growth.
The state even moved up on the American Tort Reform Association's "Judicial Hellhole" list, a black eye Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) addressed in a social media post.
Tort law is a civil action used to protect people that have been harmed or injured due to actions that are either negligent or intentional, according to the American Museum of Tort Law. Tort cases include: assault, defamation, car accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, and animal attacks.
"The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is one of the most prolific donators to the campaign funds of members of the majority party," Mazzochi wrote on Facebook. "Tort law in state statute is incredibly dry, but it has an impact on this state and ultimately your family's bottom line. In January of this year, during a lame duck session the Illinois House, on a party line vote, passed legislation making it even more lucrative to pursue frivolous lawsuits. Even the Governor took issue with the bill and the impact it would have on healthcare and business costs, issuing his first ever full veto. He signed a similar bill later in March.
"Understandably, Illinois has climbed up the list of 'judicial hellholes' and it's costing you," she continued. "When I say the system works for the politically connected at the expense of everyday people, this is exactly what I mean."
The Center Square reported the state ranked fifth on the "Judicial Hellhole" list and noted costs tied to tort lawsuits surpassed $9 billion in wages and $27.5 billion in economic losses each year. The report also stated "lawsuit abuse" averages out to about $1,049 for each resident of the state. State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said it's an issue that needs addressed "so that people and businesses locate here, not leave."
Judicial Hellhole attributed a rise in tort lawsuits to a 2019 Illinois Supreme Court decision that found plaintiffs do not need to claim they were harmed and could seek damages regardless if any damage was done in Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) cases.
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