ATRA calls out top recipient of trial lawyer donations

The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) announced on X its opposition to House Speaker Emanuel Welch's sponsorship of controversial legal reform legislation. Welch is reportedly the top recipient of trial lawyer campaign donations in Illinois.

According to ATRA, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch signed on as a sponsor of legislation that would expand Illinois court jurisdiction, allowing lawsuits against out-of-state companies with no ties to the state. The legislation was introduced as a last-minute amendment to Senate Bill 26 and a near-identical version added to SB 328. ATRA argues this maneuver demonstrates legislative alignment with trial lawyer interests and risks damaging Illinois’ legal climate.

As reported by the Cook County Record, Speaker Welch was the top recipient of campaign donations from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s Political Action Committee during a recent filing period. The timing of Welch’s sponsorship of jurisdiction-expanding legislation drew criticism from legal reform groups and business leaders. The publication emphasized growing concerns that the legislation would invite nationwide litigation into Illinois courts, further solidifying the state’s pro-plaintiff reputation.

According to the 2023–2024 Judicial Hellholes report by the American Tort Reform Foundation, Cook County ranks sixth among the most problematic civil litigation jurisdictions in the country. The report highlights that 91% of high-value civil cases in Illinois are filed in Cook County, even though it comprises only 40% of the state’s population. ATRA warns that legislation like SB 26 and SB 328 would exacerbate these trends and drive away businesses.

The American Tort Reform Association describes itself as a nonprofit advocacy group focused on achieving a fair and balanced civil justice system through public education and legal reform. ATRA publishes the annual Judicial Hellholes report and collaborates with lawmakers and business leaders to identify and correct imbalances in litigation environments. Its mission is to reduce lawsuit abuse and ensure legal predictability for job creators and consumers.