HIGHLAND, IL – State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) joined Republican members of the Illinois House and Senate in a lawsuit filed in Sangamon County Court alleging multiple violations of the Illinois Constitution’s Third Reading Rule on Senate Bill 328. Despite the Democrats’ supermajorities in both the House and Senate, they still disregard the Third Reading Rule, which is outlined in the Illinois Constitution. This litigation is an effort for Republicans to fight for transparency and adherence to the constitution.
“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. “There was time to follow the Constitution, and the Democrats chose not to. Every time the rules are ignored, the people of Illinois lose. Until we challenge this behavior, the Democrats will keep it up.”
The Third Reading Rule is the final stage of debate that bills are supposed to follow as outlined in the Illinois constitution. The legislative process is designed for legislators to have adequate time to review and debate legislation. Bills are supposed to be read by title three times on three different days, however Democrats have repeatedly subverted the Constitution in order to rush bills through without proper review.
The Republicans’ lawsuit outlines the blatant disregard for the Illinois Constitution specifically for Senate Bill 328, which passed despite the legislative process not being followed correctly. The bill would allow businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts, regardless of where the incident occurred. The bill creates imminent harm for Illinoisans by increasing the legal process to increased abuse by trial lawyers, and job creators across Illinois strongly oppose it.