New Ill. Study Confirms Litigation Tourism Problem in ‘Judicial Hellholes’

A new study by the Illinois Civil Justice League further confirms the disproportionate filing of lawsuits in “Judicial Hellholes” and other problematic Illinois jurisdictions, according to the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).

“This new report reveals a disturbing trend for blatant abuse of the Illinois civil justice system,” said ATRA President Sherman Joyce. “It’s time for the Illinois legislature to pass meaningful venue reform that would help put an end to litigation tourists filing lawsuits in Judicial Hellholes.”

The report, released last month, is an analysis of individual county lawsuit filing patterns over the past 10 years in Illinois. Madison and St. Clair Counties – the two worst Judicial Hellholes cited in 2004 – and Cook County, were noted as courts that are “most likely to deny venue change motions.”

Plaintiffs’ lawyers reportedly file their cases in Judicial Hellholes because they know they will receive a favorable award or precedent, or both.

For more information on the report, visit www.atra.org.