According to a recent St. Louis Post Dispatch article ("Illinois high court rejects attempt to revisit case where judge had gotten contributions"), the Illinois Supreme Court has rejected a motion to revisit a case against State Farm on the basis that one of the judges was biased as a result of campaign contributions he received.

The State Farm case is a good illustration of the kind of frivolous and excessive lawsuits that are allowed to flourish here in Illinois. Companies in Illinois are constantly harassed by frivolous lawsuits and all too often there are judges who do little to stop these lawsuits. In the end, it is consumers and people who depend on these companies for jobs that pay the ultimate price for lawsuit abuse. Had the Illinois Supreme Court reversed itself and forced State Farm to pay millions, it would have had an adverse affect on the Illinois economy and ultimately would have cost the state valuable jobs.

The case also illustrates the need for good judges serving on the bench. Madison and St. Clair County residents know all too well the importance of good judges. Both counties have been permanent fixtures in the annual "Judicial Hellholes" report.

Next year, area voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on important local judicial elections. Madison and St. Clair County residents would be wise not to overlook the "bottom" of the ballot where the judicial races are listed. Too much is at stake in these important elections.

Travis Akin

Executive Director

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch

Marion, Ill.