Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Recent News About Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
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IL Supreme Court: Conant High School can't be sued for student's gym class floor hockey eye injury
The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate ruling, saying a Cook County judge was right to toss a suburban high school student’s suit, because the suit did not show a gym teacher was at fault for failing to make students wear goggles during a floor hockey game, which left the student with an injured eye. -
Cook County, with Madison, St. Clair counties, lands a top spot again among "Judicial Hellholes"
After two years off the official list, Cook County has again landed a top spot – albeit, in combination with two other downstate Illinois counties - on an annual list recognizing some of the most litigious locales in the U.S., the world’s most lawsuit-happy country. On Dec. 15, the American Tort Reform Association ranked Cook County, together with Madison and St. Clair counties, at No. 6 in its top U.S. “Judicial Hellholes.” -
IL Supreme Court: Law shields homeowners from suits over snow removal, not 'unnatural' ice
The Illinois Supreme Court has put the freeze on certain slip-and-fall suits, by affirming an appellate ruling that the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act immunizes homeowners against suits arising from weather-caused slippery sidewalks, but not from ice buildup caused by negligent drainage. -
IL Supreme Court rejection of law to reduce jury size sheds light on key legal, justice principles
As he was about to leave office, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a bill, strongly supported by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, that would have reduced the number of jurors in state civil trials from 12 to six. On Sept. 22, the Illinois Supreme Court rescinded the law in a unanimous 5-0 vote, declaring unconstitutional the law, which would have had deep implications for the state's civil justice system. -
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 -
Demetrio: Legal profession still challenging; lifetime achievement award 'doesn't mean 'See you later'
For Thomas A. Demetrio, who recently received the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association's lifetime achievement award, the name of the award honoring legendary attorney Leonard M. Ring is among the most gratifying aspects of the recognition. -
IL high court: More than lost money, damaged reputation needed to sustain doctors' peer review suit vs hospitals
The Illinois Supreme Court has strengthened the hand of hospitals in a ruling that took a physician’s suit off life support, because he failed to allege a north suburban hospital system inflicted “physical” harm upon him when it terminated his hospital privileges – which the court said is the necessary standard under state law for the hospital group to enjoy immunity from liability. -
Divided IL Supreme Court tosses rule protecting police, fire depts from lawsuits, says rule outdated, despite precedent
For decades, Illinois cities, villages, fire protection districts and others providing police, fire protection and ambulance services have enjoyed general immunity from lawsuits brought by plaintiffs who may accuse paramedics, firefighters and police officers of failing to provide the level of protection or response individuals may believe they should have. On Jan. 22, however, a majority of justices on the Illinois Supreme Court decided the time had come to undo the judicial rule. -
ITLA: Rauner showing signs of being a bully
To the Editor:Illinois had another governor not so long ago who showed pure contempt for the institutions of government and who vilified others to try and get his way. Is history repeating itself with a new governor skirting the rule of law and condemning our democratic system of checks and balances by castigating anybody not toeing his line?Gov. Bruce Rauner has attacked public employees, the organizations -
ICJL criticizes ITLA ad campaign as push against potential tort reform
MurnaneThe Illinois Civil Justice League believes an advertising campaign the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association recently launched is an attempt to push back against talk of tort reform in the state capitol.In a news release issued Thursday, the ICJL said the campaign– which includes a paid ad on Capitol Fax blog, as well as social media and other outreach efforts– aims to “protect open access to Illinois -
ITLA: The big money campaign to deny taxpayers’ constitutional right to seek justice from our courts
Recent headlines depict just a few examples of American citizens unknowingly put in harm’s way, seriously injured or killed due to defective products and unsafe food: “Death toll from GM ignition switches rises to 42,” “Takata airbag victims looked like they had been shot or stabbed,” and “Packaged caramel apples linked to five deaths, CDC says.” -
WSJ editorial knocks Quinn’s ‘stocking stuffers’ to ITLA; Outgoing governor signs two controversial, legal-related bills into law
QuinnLabeling him “America’s worst governor,” the Wall Street Journal notes in a Dec. 22 editorial that Pat Quinn in his final days as chief executive enacted two laws that are “stocking stuffers” for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.Quinn on Friday signed into law legislation, Senate Bill 3075, that will reduce the number of jurors hearing civil cases from 12 to six and increase juror pay to -
Cook County left out of ATRA's "Judicial Hellhole" report for first time since 2004
For the first time in a decade, Cook County is not mentioned in the American Tort Reform Association's annual "Judicial Hellholes" report. -
House OKs proposal to reduce number of jurors in civil cases from 12 to six, hike daily pay
KellyThe Illinois House on Tuesday approved a measure that would reduce the number of jurors hearing civil cases from 12 to six.The proposal, an amendment to SB3075, passed along party lines 67-46-2 in a Democratically-controlled chamber. If approved by the Senate and the governor, it would go into effect June 1, 2015."It is a bad bill," Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, said during floor debate. -
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.”
