Jump to full article: Illinois River Bend Telegraph, 2006-11-28
Author: STEVE WHITWORTH The Telegraph
Intro: By refusing to take action Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court wrote the end to one of the most celebrated and controversial legal cases in the history of Madison County.
The Supreme Court sided with Philip Morris USA, refusing to disturb an Illinois Supreme Court ruling that threw out a $10.1 billion verdict out of Madison County over the company's "light" cigarettes. The court issued its order without comment. . . .
The case became part of a contentious Illinois Supreme Court campaign in 2004. Tort reform groups, including the Illinois Civil Justice League, pointed to Byron's ruling as symptomatic of what they said was bias toward plaintiffs and their attorneys in the Madison County court system. The Republican candidate, Lloyd Karmeier, who was supported by the ICJL, won election to the Supreme Court.
Philip Morris appealed Byron's ruling directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Last year, Karmeier was part of the 4-2 majority on the Supreme Court who overturned Byron's verdict, effectively ruling that the Federal Trade Commission had permitted Philip Morris USA to use the term "light" in its packaging and advertising.
Tillery appealed the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling to the nation's highest court, which declined Monday to hear arguments in the case.
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