Reaction to St. Clair County, Ill. being added to the American Tort Reform Association’s (ATRA) “Judicial Hellhole” prompted comment by a number of public officials.
Chief Judge Jan Fiss of the 20th Judicial Circuit (which includes St. Clair County):
“ATRA is a biased little group who loves to take their shots. I’m not sure why Clair County has made the list of worst judicial hellholes.”
O’Fallon Mayor Gary Graham:
“It does not surprise me. But it’s not what I want my county known for.
“The trend in class actions is tied into the medical malpractice issue. We’re losing doctors here right and left. I guess now it’s a official, but I don’t feel better about it.”
Personal injury attorney Rex Carr of East St. Louis (formerly of Carr Korein Tillery)
“They (ATRA) must be drinking Benzene. They are in the pay of the Chamber of Commerce to spread the big lie and to restrict poor victims from getting what they deserve.
"They (ATRA) are drunks and dopeheads."
St. Clair County Board member Steve Reeb, a Republican:
“Since St. Clair County is No. 2, I guess the judges and lawyers just need to try harder.
“I find it incredulous that the county has passed two non-binding resolutions (related to medical malpractice) and we expected something to be done, nothing has.
“I am more determined than ever….When the (state legislative) session opens up I am going to Springfield to be there.”
Former St. Clair County Board member Joe Behnken, a Republican:
"It's no surprise because there is no magic line between Madison County and St. Clair County.
"The powerful Democratic machine is controlling the conduct of the courts through money. How goes Madison County goes St. Clair County.
"As long as there is one-party rule there is no accountability."
Public officials react to St. Clair County's 'hellhole' designation
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