News from Illinois



June 02
SWA Failure Shows Impact Of Grass Roots
So the Illinois General Assembly is finished, at least for now. It's going to take weeks, even months, for the analysts and pundits to figure out exactly what happen with Illinois finances, with an as-yet undefined capital plan (roads, bridges, jobs, etc.), and with the legality of an unbalanced budget.

May 25
There's a reason why SWA is still languishing
The Illinois Manufacturers Association, one of Illinois' oldest (115-years) and most respected business associations, distributes a weekly "Springfield Highlights" to its members every Friday when the Illinois General Assembly is in session.

May 08
Editorial: Structural Work Act 'Last Thing' Illinois Needs
You hire a licensed, bonded, insured professional company to repair a leaky roof. During the midst of the work, one of the firm's employees loses his balance, falls and is severely injured.

April 24
Assessment: State, Cook County among worst U.S. legal climates
An annual assessment of state liability systems released this week shows that Illinois has one of the five worst legal climates in the nation.

April 23
Report says Illinois has one of the worst legal climates in the country
Madison County progress noted; Chicago is worse.

April 23
Chamber study ranks Illinois among worst states for legal fairness
While some things about Illinois' legal climate have improved, some top lawyers across the country say it's among the top, five, worst in the country.

April 22
Prospect Heights City Council: Legal Reform Now
A coalition of Illinois legal reform advocates, including the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Illinois Civil Justice League and Illinois Chamber of Commerce, applauds the Prospect Heights City Council for unanimously passing a resolution calling on the Illinois legislature to pass meaningful lawsuit reform.

April 14
Opponents rally against revival of Structural Work Act
Fixing a problem that doesn't exist? Opponents of the Construction Safety Act think so.

April 14
Evidence for New Trial Lawyer Bill Just Doesn't Stack Up
It must have been just an unfortunate set of events this past week that the State of Illinois (and Governor Blagojevich) announced on Tuesday a dramatic decrease of road construction worker injuries and fatalities since 2003.

April 09
Lawmaker revives contentious work rule
A contentious proposal allowing injured workers to file certain lawsuits has resurfaced after being squelched more than a decade ago. State Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, on Tuesday introduced--at the request of House Speaker Michael Madigan--an amendment that would reinstate the Structural Work Act.