State Representative Michael Coffey (IL) | Representative Michael J. Coffey, Jr. (R) 95th District
State Representative Michael Coffey (IL) | Representative Michael J. Coffey, Jr. (R) 95th District
Members of the Illinois House and Senate Republican caucuses have urged Governor Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, which they claim would benefit trial lawyers at the expense of jobs and economic growth. They have also filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County court, asserting that the Democratic majority violated the Illinois Constitution's Three Readings Rule by pushing the bill through after midnight on the last day of session.
The proposed legislation seeks to overhaul Illinois' judicial system, allowing out-of-state businesses to be sued in Illinois courts for incidents unrelated to the state. A provision also permits foreign businesses registered in Illinois to face lawsuits. Critics argue it was passed using procedural tactics that bypass constitutional requirements.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie stated, "We are answering the call of job creators, good government watchdog groups, and most importantly, our constituents, to stand up for transparency and against this job-killing legislation." He added that Governor Pritzker should veto SB 328 to demonstrate support for employment over litigation.
Rep. Coffey criticized Democrats for allegedly circumventing due process and public engagement by ignoring the Three Readings Rule. "SB328 had no deadline, so there was ample time to follow the Constitutional process," he said. Similar bills have been vetoed twice by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, with business groups urging a similar response from Pritzker.
In other news, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a $55.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget reflects an increase of nearly $2 billion compared to FY25 and marks a $15 billion rise since Pritzker took office in 2019. Rep. Coffey expressed concern over tax burdens on families without relief from Democrats' spending priorities.
A recent case highlighted perceived failures of the SAFE-T Act when a former teacher accused of sexual abuse could not be held pre-trial due to provisions in the law. The judge remarked on limitations imposed by the Act despite the serious nature of the case.
Additionally, FanDuel has announced an extra fee on sports wagers placed in Illinois as a result of HB 2755's passage—a move attributed to new taxes implemented by Democrats aiming to fund their record budget.
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