Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Dave Severin has joined a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court, challenging the use of the "gut and replace" method for passing Senate Bill 328. The suit aims to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Third Reading Rule.

"The Third Reading Rule is outlined in the Illinois Constitution to grant public transparency to legislation as it moves through each Chamber," said Severin. "This litigation is an effort for Republicans to fight for transparency and adherence to the Constitution. Democrats repeatedly break the rules that they create and vote for, and we are fighting back in the name of good government."

Senate Bill 328 would permit out-of-state plaintiffs to sue out-of-state businesses in Illinois courts. The American Tort Reform Association urged Governor Pritzker to veto the bill, describing it as one of the "Single worst bills we have seen this year, nationwide." They warned that if enacted, "Illinois is likely to see a mass exodus of businesses leaving and a sharp decline in new business investments."

Severin criticized legislative practices, stating, "We go for weeks in Springfield doing very little actual legislative work on the floor, and then Democrats ram these huge issues through at the end of the Session with time running out because they know people aren’t paying attention." He emphasized that there is sufficient time for proper procedures and transparency. "This lawsuit seeks to restore that transparency and restore some integrity in the legislative process," he added.