Separate Casino, Biz Reform Issues
Crain's Chicago Business, 08/01/1994By Robert A. Clifford
I was disappointed in CRAIN'S recent editorial that embraced state Senate President "Pate" Philip's proposal to support Chicago riverboat casinos in exchange for reforming the civil justice system ("Linking casinos, biz reforms is right move," June 20). The plot was simple extortion.
The editorial states that even a compromise version would be "a victory for businesses across the state." But what about the consumers across the state who are being forgotten in this battle? Philip's claim, echoed in CRAIN'S editorial, that rising product liability claims stifle economic growth, ignores a recent survey of major U.S. manufacturing, trade and service corporations, which found product liability contributed 1% or less to the final prices of products.
And product liability insurance premiums was estimated to represent a mere 0.14% of product retail sales in 1991.
CRAIN'S has moved from editorial opposition to ambivalence to now apparently full-fledged support of riverboat gambling. But in the past, at least the editorial board confined its analysis of the riverboat issue to the pros and cons of floating casinos in Chicago: the site, the impact on taxes, the effect on other businesses, the risk of increased crime.
Mayor Daley has stated that reforming the justice system is separate from the Chicago riverboat issue. And he's right.
Surely everyone, even trial lawyers, would like to see a more efficient disposition of cases. But if any reform is to take place, let it be for the right reasons, not to sell out consumers' rights for political gain.
Chicago Mayor Daley has stated that reforming the justice system is separate from the Chicago riverboat issue. And he's right.
