Be proud that state protects consumers

The state of Illinois stands as a protector of individual freedom and rights, a place where somebody injured on the job or by a defective consumer product may go to court and know they have a fair chance to win just compensation. That’s by design. Laws in our state are carefully written to ensure a level playing field so even big and powerful corporations are held accountable when their negligence hurts people and, in some cases, prevents them from earning a living.

Keith Battaglia’s recent commentary (“Legal system is hurting small businesses”) sought to turn the facts upside down by portraying businesses facing lawsuits as the true victims and individuals harmed due to no fault of their own as perpetrators. But the truth is that Illinois courts dismiss cases lacking merit. The rules governing civil litigation explicitly forbid attorneys from filing frivolous lawsuits; attorneys doing so anyway could be fined or have their ability to practice law suspended.

It’s also true that lawsuit filings in Illinois have declined for several years. Overall, the number of civil lawsuits filed has dropped 68% since 2010. In Cook County, where Bataglia’s business is located, filings have declined 67%.

Illinois and the Chicago-area, in particular, are attractive places to do business. The state’s GDP exceeded $1 trillion in 2024, we have an educated and skilled workforce and Site Selection magazine said Illinois ranked second in the nation for corporate expansion and relocation projects, with Chicago as its top metropolitan area for the 12th consecutive year.

We should be proud and thankful to live here, instead of in a state that leaves injured people to fend for themselves and that embraces race-to-the-bottom policies benefitting the wealthy few while leaving most of their residents worse off.

Sara M. Salger, President

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association