Illinois' ruling Democrats can continue to enforce a state law making it more difficult for Illinois residents to challenge the constitutionality of state laws in court, after the Illinois Supreme Court turned away a challenge and left in place the law forcing people to file such constitutional challenges in state courts in either Chicago or Springfield.
In the 6-1 ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court declared the plaintiffs in the action - the owners of a gun shop in downstate Madison County, near St. Louis - couldn't show the requirement that they press their claim in Sangamon County court in Springfield, rather than in Madison County, was enough of an "inconvenience" to violate their rights.
So, the court's majority said a Madison County judge was wrong to strike down the venue-limiting law as unconstitutional on that basis.
This could become a 14th Amendment case in federal court: because it is a denial of equal protection under the law favoring the rights of 2 counties. Big story.
