St. Clair and Madison counties were again named in a pro-business group's watch list of so-called "Judicial Hellholes" this year, according to their annual report released today. A St. Louis Circuit Court judge was singled out with a "dishonorable mention."

The American Tort Reform Foundation, a national business lobby that created the label, ranks plaintiff-friendly court venues. No area court jurisdictions were officially labeled as a "Judicial Hellhole," including Metro East counties St. Clair and Madison, who once topped the list for consecutive years.

Critics say the rankings are simply bought by business interests who have no concern for the public's well-being.

"The report is nothing more than a public relations stunt bankrolled by insurance, tobacco and drug companies to attack the civil justice system and gain complete immunity for their negligent behavior," said Todd A. Smith, president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

The court jurisdictions labeled as "hellholes" this year are: Philadelphia, California, West Virginia, South Florida, Cook County in Illinois, and Clark County in Nevada.

Both Madison and St. Clair counties should be watched, the group says.

"A growing number of filings and continued questionable rulings place Madison County, once a perennial Judicial Hellhole, on the very precarious edge of sinking back in again," the report stated.

"This is troubling news because there has been so much progress made in the Metro-East in recent years," said Travis Akin, executive director of Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch.

The group gave St. Louis Circuit Judge Angela Quigless a "dishonorable mention" for "approving a class action settlement in which the lawyers were to receive millions in fees and expenses, while their clients each receive about $20 and three coupons worth $8.22 each."

Quigless, reached by telephone on Tuesday, said she was unaware of the report.

"I did what was appropriate," she said.