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* SB2008 is sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea)…
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce released the following statement following House committee passage of SB2008, which includes key initiatives to enhance the Illinois Film Tax Credit and bolster Illinois’ economy through investments in new and existing businesses:
“Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that Illinois adopt and expand proactive policies to attract and grow businesses. We thank Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for their leadership in developing this comprehensive package, which contains numerous initiatives the Chicagoland Chamber has long advocated for to help drive our economy forward,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “This includes expanding the wildly successful Illinois Film Tax Credit, which will further cement our state as a key player in the film and television industry, as well as a new tax credit for innovative manufacturers that will provide support for companies making large capital investments. Additional provisions will help established Illinois companies maintain and create new jobs, strengthen electric and hybrid vehicle supply chains, expand apprenticeship programs to build a skilled workforce, and help innovators develop and bring new products to the market. These initiatives showcase the depth and breadth of Illinois’ economy and will help us maintain the competitive edge needed to attract high-growth industries of the future, helping to secure our state and region’s economic success for years to come.”
More on SB2008 from the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association…
“We’re proud to have worked in collaboration with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on several key provisions of this proposal, including incentives to help small and medium-sized manufacturers build and upgrade their facilities and equipment, as well as extending and increasing apprenticeship programs that are crucial to building a skilled workforce for the future. We have championed efforts to support existing Illinois companies that are retaining jobs and making significant capital investments and are encouraged by initiatives to repurpose state properties into business-ready sites ready to welcome new large-scale development. While there is more work to be done, these are the kind of policies that help Illinois remain competitive and encourage continued growth.”
* SB26 is also sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman. The following press release is from a large number of business groups, including the two mentioned above, the Chicagoland Chamber and the IMA…
Leading Business Groups Oppose Sweeping Legal Overreach
Proposed Bill Would Expand Jurisdiction, Invite More Lawsuits Against Out-of-State Companies
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ business community is united in opposition to proposed legislation that would drastically expand Illinois’ jurisdictional reach. House Amendment #2 to SB 26 would expose out-of-state companies to lawsuits in Illinois courts—even when the underlying claims and parties have no connection to the state.
“This last-minute request of trial lawyers represents a significant and concerning expansion of liability for out-of-state businesses operating in Illinois. The amendment would change Illinois from a ‘specific jurisdiction’ to a ‘general jurisdiction’ state, making any company simply registered to do business here subject to lawsuits that have no connection to Illinois—filed by plaintiffs who may have no ties to our state, on matters that occurred elsewhere. This proposal is rooted in the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., which opened the door for states to adopt so-called ‘consent-by-registration’ laws. While the Court found such laws do not violate due process, the decision left it to individual states to determine their own approach. Illinois should be cautious about taking a path that could make our courts a national magnet for toxic tort litigation. When similar legislation passed in New York last year, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Kathy Hochul, who recognized the risks of such a sweeping policy. We urge lawmakers to reject this amendment and instead support policies that promote fairness, protect due process, and encourage businesses to invest and grow in Illinois.”
An excerpt of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) veto message (Veto #147) is below:
“I vetoed substantially similar legislation in 2021 due to concerns that the proposal would represent a massive expansion of New Yorks’s laws governing general jurisdiction, likely deterring out-of-state companies from doing business in New York because it would require them to be subject to lawsuits in the State regardless of any connection to New York. The bill would cause uncertainty for those businesses and burden the judicial system.”
The trial lawyers’ bill cleared the House yesterday 75-37 and goes back to the Senate for concurrence.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 30, 25 @ 12:43 pm
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Both are good bills…..Great job by Leader Hoffman!
Comment by Willis Friday, May 30, 25 @ 12:58 pm
Seems to illustrate that Leader Hoffman understands that being pro business and pro worker/consumer is achievable.
Comment by chisel Friday, May 30, 25 @ 1:13 pm
What public interest is achieved or advantage provided to the state or residents, besides the lawyers, by allowing parties outside Illinois to file lawsuits in Illinois that have nothing to do with Illinois?
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, May 30, 25 @ 1:14 pm
I politely agree with Steve. I can only see negative outcomes for everyone but lawyers.
Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, May 30, 25 @ 1:47 pm
Seems like a magnanimous guy who can get stuff done - both pro business and pro labor - might be a good person to represent Illinois in the Senate? Just a thought…
Comment by Thinker Friday, May 30, 25 @ 2:34 pm
@StevePolite - This all goes to civil procedure stuff that lawyers have been fighting about for at least 80 years (the year SCOTUS decided the International Shoe case).
In that case, the Court said you can haul an out of state defendant into any state court where they have sufficent contact with the state.
Lawyers have been fighting ever since about just what counts as a corporation having a sufficient contact with a state and what jurisdictional authority state courts have over corporations that do business in their states but do not have headquarters there.
It makes a great deal of difference to a plaintiff who was injured what state law applies to their claims.
It may change the statute of limitations in filing a claim, or the amount of recovery you can get for your claim, or even the type of legal theories that apply to your case and your likelihood of victory.
The interest to the state in being able to claim jurisdiction is just giving that state more power over corporate persons that do business in their states.
The counter to that is what states like Texas are doing in trying to set up special business-friendly courts to lure companies to have headquarters in Texas on the idea those companies will not have to be subject to lawsuits in more plaintiff-friendly states if they can get SCOTUS to go along with their ideas of jurisdiction.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, May 30, 25 @ 2:50 pm
It would be good to have a Democratic senator from downstate.
Comment by joand315 Friday, May 30, 25 @ 2:59 pm
I do not understand why a company registered to do business in Illinois should not be held accountable to the people of Illinois.
The opposite approach advocated by Republicans is that you should only be able to sue Caterpillar in Peoria County. That rarely ends in a fair result for victims.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 30, 25 @ 4:20 pm
Hot take: Illinoisans should be protected by the laws of Illinois.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, May 30, 25 @ 7:55 pm
The fact is that the person alleging harm could live in California, work at a company located in California, and the accident occurred in California. But that company registers to do business in Illinois because they have a sales rep here. They can now be sued in IL if this passes…
Here is the reason: The asbestos docket is drying up in the Metro East so they need a new playing field.
Comment by 4 percent Friday, May 30, 25 @ 10:28 pm