Ed Murnane News
It's Illinois: 'Hellhole' for many reasons
The most disturbing aspect of Tuesday's stunning arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich is that many Illinois residents -- perhaps most -- were not shocked. Perhaps the timing caught some off guard and perhaps the stupidity of the governor was a surprise but most Illinois residents, or at least those who pay attention to what is going on, were not shocked.
Judges in Illinois: Never a dull topic
It's a shame that most Illinois residents don't pay much attention to our judges, and particularly to the process in which they are selected. It can be great theater.
Con-Con ballot could be major problem
Murnane Election Day is five weeks away and it seems there is brewing what ought to be considered a serious problem with the ballot for the constitutional convention referendum. It's almost, to be honest, as if no one looked at the language of the ballot before it was sent to print and mailed to millions of Illinois voters.
Is Madison back In competition for 'Hellholes' tag?
Murnane The American Tort Reform Association has launched its annual survey to determine which legal jurisdictions in the U.S. are considered "judicial hellholes" by the legal community -- or at least that part of the legal community that does not believe that rampant litigation with unlimited awards is the best way to solve disputes.
Doctors In Chicago: The more the better
Chicago was crawling with doctors last week -- and the previous weekend – and that's a good thing.
SWA failure shows impact of grass roots
Murnane So the Illinois General Assembly is finished, at least for now. It's going to take weeks, even months, for the analysts and pundits to figure out exactly what happened with Illinois finances, with an as-yet undefined capital plan (roads, bridges, jobs, etc.), and with the legality of an unbalanced budget.
There's a reason why SWA is still languishing
Ed Murnane The Illinois Manufacturers Association, one of Illinois' oldest (115-years) and most respected business associations, distributes a weekly "Springfield Highlights" to its members every Friday when the Illinois General Assembly is in session.
Have we found the missing link?
Murnane Usually this commentary concentrates on one of the sometimes-diverse matters affecting the civil justice system -- mostly in Illinois, but sometimes nationally.
Sneaking up on the outside: It's 'Con-Con' 2008
If you thought the 2008 presidential election, certain to have at least one candidate with strong Illinois, was the most important issue facing our state in 2008 -- you were wrong. Despite the fact that Hillary Clinton was born here, and Barack Obama lives here and represents us, the presidential election is not the important event on our calendar.
Early 'victory' in cards for 37 judicial candidates
More than 35 candidates for judge in Illinois will be "elected" on Tuesday, February 5, nine months before the 2008 General Election.
Med-mal ruling not a surprise; but will have impact(s)
While it was disappointing, the ruling by Cook County Judge Diane Joan Larsen that the 2005 Illinois medical-malpractice reform bill is unconstitutional, it was not unexpected, nor is it the end of the world for advocates of fairness and of common sense legal reform in Illinois.
Another local government may join call for legal reform
We reported just a month ago that the movement for civil justice reform in Illinois has been actively and aggressively supported by local governments, including municipalities, park districts, school districts, public transportation providers and others.
Is this the way to select good judges?
Illinois' judicial system has been branded as one of the worst in the nation in two separate evaluations: the respected Harris International survey and the American Tort Reform Association's annual "judicial hellholes" report showing three Illinois counties to be among the worst in the country.
Trial lawyers are only winners in Illinois legislature
Despite the intense media interest and the equally intense "insider" interest in what has been going on (or not going on) in Illinois government this year, the reality is that most Illinois citizens aren't paying much attention and those who are are not surprised by inept government because they don't expect government to do much that is good.
Jury Reform: More pay and get people who care
Madeline Byrne was a bit surprised -- and not happy -- when she received her summons to report for jury duty in Sanford, N.C.
Callis passes big test with skeptical audience
Ann Callis traveled 300 miles from Madison County to Cook County to appear before an audience that has been highly critical of her courthouse for decades.
Respect - not awards - for judges
We've developed a considerable degree of respect for Chief Judge Ann Callis of Madison County and three of her colleagues, Judges Hylla, Stobbs and Chapman, during the past six months.
When judges fail, they should leave
What if Abel Muhammad had died?
More to Thomas verdict than victory for chief justice?
The Illinois Civil Justice League endorsed then-Appellate Judge Bob Thomas when he ran for Supreme Court Justice in the 2000 General Election. Thomas survived a difficult three-way Republican primary that included appointed Justice Louis Rathje and Circuit Court Judge Bonnie Wheaton.
Turn to other reforms, not taxpayers' pockets
One of the debates I recall during the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1970 was over the method of selection of judges.