Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, issued the following statement tonight:

“It is disconcerting that Governor Blagojevich failed to address Illinois’ reputation as one of the worst states in the country for lawsuit abuse. That reputation is contributing to Illinois’ jobs crisis, and is one reason why the state continues to lag behind the rest of the country in terms of economic growth.

“The medical liability reforms enacted last year are a good step forward, but Governor Blagojevich and the state legislature need to finish the job by passing more lawsuit reforms. This will help Illinois employers escape the onslaught of opportunistic trial lawyers getting rich at the expense of Illinois employers and working families.”

A Harris Survey of corporate executives ranked Illinois 46th out of 50 states in legal fairness, having dropped 12 spots in three years. An astounding 81 percent of respondents in that survey said a state’s legal climate affects important decisions, such as where to locate or invest.

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