Who IS ICJL/Deep Pockets Illinois? Follow the Money.
The Illinois Civil Justice League has launched a new propaganda campaign, "Deep Pockets Illinois," aimed at thwarting the passage of Senate Bill 1296. If you believe ICJL's Ed Murnane, the world is about to come to an end.
I'll have more about the bill later, but before we get into the nitty-gritty of why the ICJL claims that legislation that merely codifies 20 years of judicial practice will bring the world to an end, I think it's fair to take a deeper look at just who's behind the ICJL and their political arm, JUSTPAC.
According to the ICJL, they are "a coalition of Illinois citizens, small and large businesses, associations, professional societies, not-for-profit organizations and local governments." Unfortunately, there's no way to verify that claim because nowhere does the ICJL disclose who actually funds them.
Fortunately, the ICJL's political arm, JUSTPAC, is required to disclose where their money comes from. So I went to the State Board of Elections website, and low and behold......
- More than half of JUSTPAC's funding comes from outside of Illinois;
- Fewer than 100 donors to JUSTPAC come from Illinois, but
- Nearly one-third of in-state donors have direct ties to the insurance industry;
And where does JUSTPAC's money go? Since 1994, JUSTPAC has given:
- $2,094,662.60 to 80 Republican candidates in Illinois.
- $500.00 to one Democrat.
Draw your own conclusions about who's interests JUSTPAC is looking out for. I believe that "he who pays the piper calls the tune," and if you:
- Live in Illinois, and
- don't work for the insurance industry, and
- Aren't a GOP candidate for office
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