Illinois' Legal System Protects People (October 21, 2009)

Contact: Kevilee Burge (217) 789-0755

Springfield, IL - Big business and their front groups are once again spreading lies and making the citizens of Illinois believe there is a lawsuit crisis in our state. Their answer to this so-called "crisis" - take away your right to receive justice and hold wrongdoers accountable. Stripping Illinois citizens of these rights only allows big business to escape accountability for when their products or services kill or maim innocent victims.

Travis Akin and his group, I-LAW, are behind this latest push to take away your rights. They have declared this Lawsuit Abuse Awareness week in an attempt to spread lies and take away the legal rights of citizens in this state. The reform that this group is seeking would only take away your right to receive justice and to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for their actions.

Reports referenced by I-LAW in promoting their Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week paint a bleak picture for business in Illinois. However, numerous scholars have discredited the polls and studies cited by this group. These "studies" have no methodology or academic basis for their results. The "studies" are biased, junk research that only shows tort reform is simply a scheme by powerful corporations to avoid accountability in the courtroom and stack the deck against every day Americans.

"The legal system rankings that Akin's group reports are preposterous," said Peter J. Flowers, president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. "Illinois residents should not be duped by this propaganda that attempts to shield corporations from their negligence or misconduct."

Don't be fooled, there is no lawsuit crisis in Illinois. Big corporations and their front groups, such as Akin's, have attacked the civil justice system, trial attorneys and those who are injured through no fault of their own, all in an effort to pad their profits and escape accountability. When big businesses act irresponsibly - by producing unsafe products, polluting our environment or swindling their employees and shareholders - the last resort for Illinoisans to hold those businesses accountable is in our courts. Our legal system serves as a powerful deterrent for corporations to act responsibly.

Peter J. Flowers
President
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
St. Charles