Will County Gazette

Today, Illinois Republicans have urged Governor J.B. Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, arguing that the legislation would benefit trial lawyers at the cost of jobs and economic growth. They also filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County court to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule, claiming that the Democratic Majority pushed the proposal through after midnight on the last day of session without following constitutional procedures.

The bill proposes changes to Illinois’ judicial system, allowing out-of-state businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts for incidents unrelated to the state. It includes provisions for foreign businesses registered in Illinois. The legislation was passed using procedural tactics to bypass constitutional requirements and public scrutiny.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie stated, “We are answering the call of job creators, good government watchdog groups, and most importantly, our constituents, to stand up for transparency and against this job-killing legislation.” He added that Governor Pritzker should veto SB328 to show support for employment over trial lawyers.

Despite Democratic super majorities in both legislative chambers, Republicans claim significant bills continue to sidestep constitutionally mandated processes like the Three Readings Rule. This rule is intended to ensure due process and public engagement but was allegedly violated when Senate Bill 328 was passed using a gut-and-replace maneuver.

“This special interest proposal was passed by the Democratic Majority using a shady process that clearly violates the substance and spirit of the Illinois Constitution,” said Senate Republican Leader John Curran. He called on Gov. Pritzker to promote economic investment by rejecting what he described as anti-business legislation.

Republicans noted similar bills were previously vetoed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and have garnered opposition from various business groups such as the American Tort Reform Association and Illinois Manufacturers Association.

State Representative Travis Weaver emphasized there was no deadline necessitating an expedited passage of Senate Bill 328: “There was time to follow the Constitution and Democrats chose not to.”

The bill is criticized for potentially facilitating frivolous lawsuits in Illinois even when cases are unrelated to state matters. Critics argue it could deter business expansion into Illinois while benefiting those profiting from litigation.

“SB 328 is government at its worst,” remarked State Senator Jason Plummer. He expressed concern about its impact on job creation and due process, citing Madison County's existing reputation as a challenging legal environment.

Republicans continue their appeal for Gov. Pritzker’s veto while pursuing legal action aimed at preventing SB328 from reaching his desk altogether.

A copy of the lawsuit can be accessed online along with a recording of their press conference on YouTube.