Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Recent News About Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch
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Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch says Arizona second-hand asbestos exposure ruling could have impacts elsewhere
A recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court that found that companies should not be held liable for damages related to second-hand asbestos exposure is “common sense” and could affect similar cases in other states, according to Travis Akin, the executive director of Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch. -
Charles Freeman, first African-American IL Sup Ct justice, retires; Appellate justice Neville appointed to replace
After nearly three decades on Illinois’ high court, Justice Charles Freeman, the first black justice to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and a former chief justice of the court, has retired. Illinois First District Appellate Court P. Scott Neville has been appointed to serve the remainder of Freeman's term through 2020. -
Illinois unlikely to copy Wisconsin on third-party litigation financing disclosure law, observers say
While Wisconsin has enacted a new law requiring the disclosure of the identity of anyone who lends money to fund a lawsuit, Illinois appears unlikely to follow the lead of its neighbor to the north. -
Cook County again lands prime spot on legal reform group's 'Judicial Hellholes' list
Cook County’s courts have again landed a top billing among America’s worst “judicial hellholes,” sharing the designation with downstate Madison County on the annual list calling attention to some of the country’s most litigious local court systems. -
'The way due process is supposed to work': IL Sup Ct decision reshapes Cook County's legal landscape
Three years after the U.S. Supreme Court moved to significantly limit general personal jurisdiction over corporations, the Illinois Supreme Court at last has used that precedent to perhaps achieve legal venue reforms long sought by business groups and reform proponents - and long ignored by state lawmakers. -
Supreme Court decision could have big impact on mass actions in Cook County, elsewhere
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned rulings made by three California courts that concluded they had specific jurisdiction over lawsuits brought by out-of-state residents against a company not incorporated or headquartered there. And reverberations from the decision will likely be felt in Cook County courtrooms, say observers. -
Report: Political donations from trial lawyers topped $35 million in 15 years
A new study published by the Illinois Civil Justice League shows that campaign contributions from trial lawyers to Illinois politicians and judges topped $35.25 million during the past 15 years. The courts in Cook County, along with those in downstate Madison and St. Clair counties, near St. Louis, host the state’s highest concentrations of civil litigation, factor prominently in "Justice for Sale III," a report analyzing campaign contributions made by the plaintiffs' bar and the profound impact -
Porch collapse trial ended by record-setting $4.5 million settlement
CHICAGO – Three years after a man leaned against an allegedly ill-maintained balcony railing while visiting a tenant of a Chicago apartment, the property manager settled the liability lawsuit for $4.5 million. -
'Star Wars' creator's decision to pull plans for lakefront museum over lawsuit seen as bad sign
CHICAGO – "Star Wars" creator and digital effects technology pioneer George Lucas recently announced the group led by him and his wife, financial executive and Chicago native Mellody Hobson, was abandoning efforts to build a futuristic museum showcasing his art collection on Chicago's lakefront. -
Madison County lands on "Judicial Hellholes" list; Cook off list for 2nd consecutive year
For the second consecutive year, Cook County was not listed on the American Tort Reform Association’s annual registry of the country’s worst “Judicial Hellholes.” However, downstate Madison County, thanks in large part to what the group calls an asbestos “rocket docket,” was again subjected to a torching this year, as ATRA released its annual report. -
I-LAW: Lawsuit reform needed in Chicago
The race for mayor in Chicago is heating up, and at the center of the debate is the City’s dire financial situation. The Chicago Public Schools alone are staring at a $1.14 billion budget deficit. -
Time for City to cut bait on this fishy lawsuit
Turn on the TV midday or late night and you’re likely to see an ad from a personal injury lawyer practically begging you to sue someone. Some of these ads actually feature personal injury lawyers waving wads of cash, hoping to entice someone into joining them in a quest for a big payday.The City of Chicago, facing huge budget deficits and poor planning, has been desperately searching for a new pool -
Cook County’s addiction to lawsuit costing region badly-needed jobs
The verdict is and Cook County is one of the worst local jurisdictions in the country for legal fairness, according to the newly-released “Judicial Hellholes” report from the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF). -
I-LAW stops in Chicago for its annual "Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week"
A legal watchdog group stopped in Chicago today as part of a statewide tour to promote its annual “Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week.”
