"Anti-Business Stance Chided in New York": ATRA Urges Illinois Governor Pritzker to Veto SB 328 Bill
Chatterbox: Time to give you the lowdown on the Illinois Senate Bill 328 (S.B. 328) and why it's causing quite a stir. This baby's been flagged by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) for potential downsides on businesses, jobs, and the economy in the Land of Lincoln.
Here's the deal: S.B. 328 would essentially turn Illinois into a litigation haven for out-of-state lawsuits against businesses. Yep, you read that right. With this bill, businesses across the USA face getting sued in Illinois courts by out-of-state plaintiffs for incidents with no Illinois ties whatsoever. It's like being smacked in the face with a wet fish, folks!
This broad legal reach could spell disaster for businesses. ATRA warns that the bill threatens around 208,000 jobs, as businesses might flee the state to avoid these increased legal risks. And get this—the bill's definition of "toxic" includes everything from dangerous chemicals to lifesaving meds, food, and baby formula, making businesses across different industries question their safety in the state.
Now imagine this: an influx of lawsuits flooding the courts, driven by counties with "Judicial Hellhole®" reputations like Cook County (pop home to 91% of Illinois's high-value civil cases, despite having only 40% of its population). Other counties like Madison and St. Clair also welcome asbestos litigation with open arms—so much for a fair legal system!
The bill's potential fallout doesn't end there. Experts say it could spark constitutional challenges for its extreme approach to jurisdiction and liability, leading to costly legal battles that strain businesses even further.
Bottom line: ATRA thinks this bill's detrimental impacts on Illinois’s business climate, jobs, and economy are so severe that they've urged Governor Pritzker to veto it. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on this mess, folks!
Want more deets? Check out ATRA's website for their full letter on why they're not feeling the S.B. 328 love. Cheers!
Fine Print:Illinois Senate Bill 328 (S.B. 328) is critiqued by ATRA due to potential negative impacts on businesses, jobs, and the economy.
Notable Impacts Identified by ATRA:
1. Increased Legal Risks and Liabilities: S.B. 328 could expose businesses nationwide to litigation in Illinois for incidents unrelated to the state.
2. Job Threats: Approximately 208,000 jobs could be lost due to businesses relocating to avoid these increased legal risks.
3. Uncertainty and Increased Costs: The bill's broad "toxic" definition could create chaos for businesses across various industries, adding to costs and legal uncertainties.
4. Legal Climate Damage: The bill could worsen Illinois' already poor legal climate, dissuading businesses and driving up costs for residents.
5. Constitutional Challenges: The bill's extreme approach to jurisdiction and liability could lead to constitutional challenges, potentially causing costly and prolonged legal battles.
- The Illinois Senate Bill 328 (S.B. 328) could pose significant risks to various businesses across the nation, as it would allow out-of-state plaintiffs to sue them in Illinois courts for incidents with no connection to the state.
- The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) predicts that this bill could lead to the loss of around 208,000 jobs due to businesses relocating to avoid the increased legal risks it presents.
