Sangamon Sun

State Representative Charlie Meier, a Republican from Okawville, has joined fellow GOP members of the Illinois House and Senate in filing a lawsuit against alleged constitutional violations by Democrats. The lawsuit, filed in Sangamon County Court, claims that the Third Reading Rule outlined in the Illinois Constitution was violated during the passage of Senate Bill 328.

Despite holding supermajorities in both legislative chambers, Democrats are accused of disregarding this rule. "The Democrats’ rule breaking has become increasingly egregious, and Republicans continue to be cut out of more and more discussion as major pieces of legislation are passed while subverting the legislative process," said Rep. Meier. He emphasized that "every time the rules are ignored, the people of Illinois lose."

The Third Reading Rule requires bills to be read by title three times on different days to ensure adequate review and debate among legislators. According to Republicans, this process was bypassed for Senate Bill 328, which allows businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts regardless of where incidents occur.

Republicans argue that such actions create potential harm for residents by increasing opportunities for legal abuse and face strong opposition from job creators across Illinois.