Today, members of the Illinois House and Senate Republican caucuses joined together to call on Gov. Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, legislation that would serve only to enrich trial lawyers at the expense of jobs and economic growth. They also filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County court to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule, due to the blatant unconstitutional manner the Democratic Majority rammed the special interest proposal through the General Assembly after midnight on the last day of session. 

The legislation would overhaul Illinois’ judicial system and allow out-of-state businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts for incidents with no connection to the state. A lesser-known provision in the law, also allows foreign businesses registered in the state as well. It was passed using a variety of procedural gimmicks to avoid constitutional requirements and public scrutiny. 

“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,” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said. “Governor Pritzker must veto SB328 and show not only the people of Illinois, but also businesses around the world, we want to put all of our people to work, not just trial lawyers.” 

Despite Democrats’ super majorities in both the House and Senate Chambers, major pieces of legislation continue to bypass the constitutionally required Three Readings Rule to avoid due process, transparency, and public engagement. Senate Bill 328 was passed after midnight with a gut-and-replace maneuver that allowed the majority party to avoid proper due process such as committee hearings and public input, violating the Three Readings Rule required in the Illinois State Constitution. 

“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 Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “I am calling on Gov. Pritzker to join us in standing up for Illinois taxpayers and promote economic investment in our state by vetoing this anti-business legislation.” 

Similar legislation has twice been vetoed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and multiple national and state business groups, including the American Tort Reform Association and Illinois Manufacturers Association, have been echoing the Republicans’ call for a veto.

“There was no deadline to pass Senate Bill 328. There was time to follow the Constitution and Democrats chose not to,” said State Representative Travis Weaver (R-Peoria). “It is up to every member of the General Assembly and citizen of Illinois to hold bad actors accountable to a transparent and constitutional process.” 

The bill itself was designed to make it easier to file frivolous lawsuits in Illinois, even in situations where the case has nothing to do with the state. Any out-of-state business could be sued in Illinois as long as the company is licensed to operate in the state. The legislation would encourage businesses not to expand to Illinois, while only serving to help those who make their living through lawsuits.

“SB 328 is government at its worst and sends a clear message that Illinois is hostile to job creators and due process,” said State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville). “As someone from Madison County, which is already ranked one of the worst judicial hellholes in the nation, I have seen how this kind of legislation drives out jobs and rewards trial lawyers at the expense of working families. Illinois deserves better than backroom politics and bad policy.”

Republicans call on Gov. Pritzker to veto SB328, and the lawsuit seeks to keep it from reaching his desk in the first place.   

A copy of the lawsuit is attached here and the press conference may be viewed at: https://youtu.be/RwkUFK9sAo4 . Additional recording files may be provided upon request.