America's medical liability system is broken. It incurs high administrative costs, does little to improve the care that patients receive, and compels health care providers to waste billions of dollars on unnecessary tests and procedures. Special health courts would address these shortcomings by compensating injured patients more efficiently and equitably and by distinguishing good care from bad so that physicians can act on their best judgment-rather than fear of a lawsuit. These courts would go a long way toward reducing defensive medicine and fostering the openness that's necessary to improve the quality and safety of medical care.

A proposal set to go before the Senate Commerce Committee on March 4 would give consumers new avenues to sue insurers, but opponents fear it could prove a headache for anyone who pays a premium.

On Nov. 2, three days after Superstorm Sandy hit New York City, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects dispatched an urgent email to members under the subject line "Architects and engineers needed for post-hurricane building evaluations."

Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, on Monday introduced a package of legislation he believes will help create more jobs and make Illinois more competitive with its neighboring states.