The country’s largest corporate interests are once again unfairly attacking Illinois’ civil justice system. The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) – funded by some of the most powerful corporate giants - has once again released their annual “hellhole” report. This so-called “report” is nothing more than a public relations stunt designed to further their political and legislative strategies.

ATRA has received funding from a “who’s who” of corporate special interests including Altria (formerly Philip Morris), Dow Chemical, Exxon, Aetna, Geico, State Farm, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

This “report” is proof that corporate special interests do not like the fact that they cannot always dominate the judicial system in Illinois. They call for “reform” in our legal system only so they can avoid accountability when their products injure or kill innocent victims. The “reform” they seek only takes away your right to receive justice and to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for their actions.

This recycled annual “report” has been widely discredited and ridiculed in past years. It has been shown, time and time again, to be 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 everyday Americans.

Big corporations and their front groups, such as ATRA, 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