Multiple Illinois jurisdictions have long been host to an unparalleled volume of asbestos litigation within the United States, and that trend has continued in 2024 and 2025.
Madison and St. Clair Counties continue to see a uniquely large number of asbestos lawsuits filed each year, while Cook County has earned a reputation as a jurisdiction prone to nuclear verdicts in personal injury cases. Among these three venues, 1,878 asbestos lawsuits were filed in 2024, an 8% increase from 2023. This comprises almost half of all new asbestos lawsuits filed in the U.S.
In 2024, 236 talc claims were filed in Madison County and 47 in St. Clair County, accounting for 38% of all talc claims filed nationally.
Madison County
Madison County continues to be the top venue for asbestos lawsuits in the United States. In 2024, the County saw a nation-high 882 asbestos lawsuits filed. This actually represents a slight decline in annual filings. This decline, however, was not necessarily attributable to a decrease in asbestos lawsuits nationally; aggregate asbestos filings across the U.S. have maintained a steady rate since the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Clair County
While Madison County remains the top U.S. venue for asbestos filings, St. Clair County is not far behind. The 820 asbestos lawsuits filed there in 2024 represented a 22% increase from 2023
Cook County
Cook County continues to also be one of the busiest asbestos dockets in the country as well. It ranked fifth nationally in number of asbestos lawsuits filed in 2024, with 176 filings. This was a 13.5% increase from 2023 and a 58.5% increase from 2022.
