The Illinois Supreme Court struck down a law Thursday that cut civil juries in half and hiked their pay.
When lawmakers passed the measure in 2014, they argued that having fewer jurors made the higher pay affordable.
But critics say it was a thinly-veiled parting gift from state Democrats to to trial lawyers.
The thought is that smaller juries would be prone to paying out higher awards in personal injury cases.
Doctor Tom Anderson is president of the Illinois State Medical Society.
"Usually doctors are on the receiving end of lawsuits involving medical issues … anybody being sued for money under an arrangement would probably prefer a more searching examination of the facts than you're likely to get in a smaller number of jurors," Anderson said.
In its decision, the state's high court said the Illinois constitution protects the right not just to a jury, but to one with 12 members.
