Blagojevich signs bill into law in 2005. More than four years since medical malpractice reform was enacted in Illinois, stakeholders anxiously await a state Supreme Court decision on its constitutionality.
When Cook County Circuit Judge Diane Joan Larsen declared a state law establishing caps on damages in medical malpractice cases unconstitutional, her much anticipated ruling prompted an outpouring of criticism as well as praise.
Murnane CHICAGO -- Cook County Circuit Judge Diane Joan Larsen ruled that a law enacted in 2005 by the Illinois legislature violates victims' rights by capping damages.
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.
Ed Murnane Officials from the Illinois Civil Justice League (ICJL) and members of a newly created Madison County medical malpractice committee met last week in Chicago to discuss problems involving the judicial system and lawsuits against doctors and hospitals.
Dr. Burger An against-all-odds legislative victory for medical liability reform advocates unfolded as Governor Rod Blagojevich finally signed the state's medical liability reform bill into law Thursday. It would have automatically become law Friday had he not signed it.
Sen. Frank Watson announces agreement A monumental bipartisan medical malpractice insurance reform compromise was reached Wednesday evening in Springfield which would cap non-economic damages at $500,000 for doctors and $1 million for hospitals.
"The Supreme Court race was a referendum on the medical liability crisis. Voters in southern Illinois and the hospital community sent a clear message to the Governor, legislative leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers: Time is running out - doctors are leaving and patients are being harmed. Meaningful medical liability reform