From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign…
Republican candidate for Illinois governor Kirk Dillard today picked up another key endorsement in his bid for the GOP nomination on February 2. Leading tort reform advocate Ed Murnane, President of the Illinois Civil Justice League and chairman of the board of the American Tort Reform Association, is backing Dillard’s candidacy. “Ed’s endorsement is one more sign that my campaign has great momentum,” Dillard said.
In his personal endorsement, Murnane praised Dillard’s record. “Kirk Dillard has been the lead sponsor on practically every civil justice reform bill introduced in Illinois during the past ten years and he is recognized as one of the national leaders in the reform movement. His name should be particularly well-known here in Madison County because he has been instrumental in the positive changes that are taking place,” Murnane said.
Madison and St. Clair Counties have been dubbed “judicial hellholes” largely because Illinois’ law allowed trial lawyers to move cases to friendly judges in these courts. As a result, malpractice insurance premiums have skyrocketed because of “jackpot justice” that delivers excessive damage awards.
As governor, Dillard said he will continue the fight for real and meaningful tort reform. “And let me be clear; if the Democrat-controlled Illinois Supreme Court overturns the latest medical malpractice law, I will stand up with doctors, hospitals, employers, and patients to re-enact a law and I will not stop fighting until we have a fair law that protects both patients and health care providers.”
Dillard said outrageous awards have to stop because it’s costing employers billions of dollars and is contributing to the state’s sluggish economy. “Tort reform and reducing costs of Workers’ Compensation are major components of my “Destination Illinois” economic development plan to bring jobs and investment back to Illinois.
Dillard was former Governor Jim Edgar’s first chief of staff, and has been endorsed by Edgar as the only candidate with “the experience and bold vision to create jobs, balance Illinois’ budget and clean up Springfield.” He has also been endorsed by the Chicago Sun Times, Peoria Journal Star and the Southtown Star.