Madison County Judge Barbara Crowder won her retention election despite the fact she was removed from the asbestos docket after she awarded 82 percent of the 2013 trial slots to three law firms that four days later donated more than $30,000 to her campaign.

Were voters willing to overlook the circumstances surrounding Crowder, or was it more of a case of voters not knowing enough about her to cast an informed vote? I suspect it was the latter.

It is important for voters to get the facts because judges do play an important role in our society.

Good judges can also play an important role in improving our state's economy. The reality is companies look to locate or expand their businesses in states where the judicial system is fair. Unfortunately, the personal injury lawyers who flock to our state have helped Illinois earn a national reputation as a "judicial hellhole." The results of this dubious distinction have been anything but positive.

Electing good judges is essential to restoring fairness and common sense to our courts.

Illinois' unemployment rate is at 8.8 percent. If we want to turn the economy around, we need good judges who are committed to restoring fairness to our courts and putting an end to the rampant lawsuit abuse that has Illinois ranked as the fifth-worst state in the nation for legal fairness. Illinois needs jobs -- not more lawsuits.

Travis Akin

Executive director

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch

Marion