Chicago Tribune, January 30, 2010

For the record, there never was a mass exodus of doctors from Illinois. No matter how many times and in how many newspaper Mr. Murnane says differently, the facts don't change: according to the American Medical Association, the number of doctors in Illinois has been steadily increasing over the past decade.

Nor is Illinois a "judicial hellhole." That label was created by Mr. Murnane, without basis in fact or corroboration from anyone but Mr. Murnane.

However, what is more worth noting than Mr. Murnane's contrived arguments and outright falsehoods is the Tribune's willingness to continue to print them - and even include some in their own editorials. Despite knowing the facts, the Tribune has more than once repeated Mr. Murnane's doctor flight myth, and continually gives undeserved credence to baseless claims made by either Mr. Murnane's own self-serving "leagues" and "associations," or questionable surveys from pro-business front groups.

I expect I'll see Mr. Murnane and his cut-and-pasted fabrications on an editorial page soon. It's what he's paid to do. And while the truth may prove elusive for Mr. Murnane, the Tribune should hold itself to a higher standard.

Peter J. Flowers
President
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
St. Charles