Thank you to Legislators Who Lower Costs of Living for Local Families

Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week is a good time to look at what is happening in our own backyard. McHenry County’s Circuit Clerk reports that Law filings over and under $50,000 increased from 376 in 2024 to 422 in 2025, roughly a 12% increase.

That does not mean every lawsuit is abusive. But it should end the notion that civil litigation affecting businesses and families is simply disappearing.

It also puts recent Springfield decisions in perspective. Last year, State Rep. Marty McLaughlin bravely voted against Senate Bill 328, which later became law. The measure expanded Illinois courts’ jurisdiction to out of state actions that have nothing to do with Illinois.

McLaughlin’s vote reflected a question Illinois should keep asking: when should disputes with little connection to this state be litigated in Illinois courts? That question matters because the costs of litigation eventually reach ordinary residents. A 2026 CALA study estimates excessive litigation costs Illinoisans roughly $2,004 per person each year.

We owe a thank you to legislators like McLaughlin who are focused on lowering the cost of living for Illinois families. Fair courts should be open to legitimate claims. They also should not become a magnet for litigation simply because Illinois offers a favorable venue.