Madigan Stacks Committee Hearing To Favor Tort Victims
From Illinois Review
House Speaker Mike Madigan called for a Committee of the Whole hearing in the House Chambers Wednesday afternoon to hear from panel after panel of people whose lives have been negatively affected by product failure, accidents or medical malpractice, and who've been affected by Illinois' tort reform laws.
The hearing continued more than four hours, as victims told their heart-wrenching stories. The witnesses, invited by Democrat committee planners, told story after story in response to Governor Bruce Rauner's Turnaround Illinois call for tort reform.
"When someone is hurt by a medical accident, a faulty product or extreme recklessness, they should have the opportunity to present evidence in court - a court that allows everyone to stand on equal footing, as even the largest, richest corporations," said State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Chicago) as she introduced the hearing subject to the House members.
"Each year, special interest groups spend millions of dollars to advance policies that would prevent people who've been injured through no fault of their own from being heard in court. Today, we have an opportunity to hear a side of the story that is considerably less represented. Today, we will hear from individuals who have been forced to turn to the courts to get justice," she said.
Republican Floor Leader State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downer's Grove) "Can you tell me when these witnesses were assembled? Because we just received the agenda a few minutes ago," he asked of Rep. Nekritz.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From Illinois Review
House Speaker Mike Madigan called for a Committee of the Whole hearing in the House Chambers Wednesday afternoon to hear from panel after panel of people whose lives have been negatively affected by product failure, accidents or medical malpractice, and who've been affected by Illinois' tort reform laws.
The hearing continued more than four hours, as victims told their heart-wrenching stories. The witnesses, invited by Democrat committee planners, told story after story in response to Governor Bruce Rauner's Turnaround Illinois call for tort reform.
"When someone is hurt by a medical accident, a faulty product or extreme recklessness, they should have the opportunity to present evidence in court - a court that allows everyone to stand on equal footing, as even the largest, richest corporations," said State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Chicago) as she introduced the hearing subject to the House members.
"Each year, special interest groups spend millions of dollars to advance policies that would prevent people who've been injured through no fault of their own from being heard in court. Today, we have an opportunity to hear a side of the story that is considerably less represented. Today, we will hear from individuals who have been forced to turn to the courts to get justice," she said.
Republican Floor Leader State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downer's Grove) "Can you tell me when these witnesses were assembled? Because we just received the agenda a few minutes ago," he asked of Rep. Nekritz.
Read more in our daily News Update...