Illinois needs jobs – not more lawsuits

This week, I am traveling across the state with a billboard truck in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of judicial elections in the State of Illinois. I have asked Ron Ellis, a small business owner and a member of the Williamson County Board, to jot down some of his views on the state’s legal climate. His thoughts are below:

As the owner of a small accounting firm and a sitting member of the Williamson County Board, I have seen firsthand how the slow economy has hurt local businesses and local governments.

Illinois desperately needs more jobs and opportunities. One simple way to create more jobs would be for lawmakers to finally implement some much-needed lawsuit reforms.

According to a recent report from Harris Interactive, Illinois’ legal climate is the sixth-worst state in the country for legal fairness. 

The more lawsuits we attract, the more jobs we shed. According to the report, two-thirds of the respondents believe a state’s legal climate is likely to have a big impact on the decision of where to locate or expand a business.

Clearly, there are other factors such as high taxes, political corruption and poor leadership from Springfield that have contributed to the state’s economic woes. But if we are going to attract jobs and opportunities, we need to give prospective employers reasons to invest in Illinois. One simple way to do that is for lawmakers to pass some meaningful lawsuit reforms. What Illinois needs is more jobs – not more lawsuits.

RON ELLIS is an accountant and a member of the Williamson County Board. He lives in Marion, IL.