October 3, 2011 Chamber endorses Non-Retention Campaign of Citizens for Judicial Integrity
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Whitley announced the Illinois Chamber’s endorsement of the Non-Retention Campaign of Citizens for Judicial Integrity.
The campaign seeks to unseat four circuit judges who preside in Madison County: Callis, Crowder, Hylla, and Knight.
Whitley said, “These judges ran as a team that promised reform in 2006, but in the eyes of many, Madison County’s reputation has not significantly improved during the last six years.
Although this is an uncommon and highly unusual application of the voter’s expression of the desire for change, there is no place in Illinois where such a voter revolt to the status quo could be more impactful than in Madison County.
If the voters of Madison County are successful in their endeavor to reclaim the court house by severing the long standing ties of the highly financed and highly connected litigation lawyers, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be interpreted as a historic and bellwether moment of positive change for Illinois’ future.
The Illinois Chamber is deeply impressed by the initiative undertaken by civic and community leaders in Madison County who are equally exercised about the county’s reputation and have chosen to pursue a campaign to oust the judges.”
Whitley further observed, “It is no secret that some southern Illinois courts, and especially those in Madison County, have acquired a poor reputation among business leaders, the medical community and job creators both statewide and nationally. The county’s reputation for lawsuits and a litigation-friendly courthouse is contributing to the high cost of doing business in Illinois.
Madison County voters should know the Vote No on Retention campaign is highly symbolic of what needs to happen in order to improve our economy. How the people of Madison County choose to vote on retention is important to all the citizens of our state.
Whitley said the Illinois Chamber is endorsing the Campaign of Citizens for Judicial Integrity because, “There is great need for business owners, doctors, farmers and entrepreneurs of all sizes to have total confidence that the courtrooms in southern Illinois will be presided over by impartial and fair minded judges. This is not currently the case in the eyes and experiences of outside observers. We sincerely hope the voters of Madison County will appreciate the significance of this election and will choose to vote NO for retention.”
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