SPRINGFIELD, IL — A Sangamon County Judge on Wednesday ruled in favor of the governor today and dismissed six lawsuits filed by various plaintiffs, including attorney Tom DeVore. The judge also ruled against Rep. Darren Bailey’s attempt to amend his lawsuit.

The plaintiffs had asked Judge Raylene Grischow to rule that no public health emergency exists in their respective counties to warrant Gov. Pritzker’s use of executive orders. They also asked the judge to enjoin the gov. from exercising his emergency powers in their counties (Edgar, Sangamon, Bond, Richland, Clinton and Adams).

Judge Grischow agreed that the plaintiffs’ complaints were indeed “devoid of facts” to support their conclusions. “The Court,” she wrote, “cautions counsel to fully set forth facts to support the conclusions.” In other words, don’t disguise a political speech as a legal brief.

But Judge Grischow did write that a legitimate cause of action may actually exist, so she allowed the plaintiffs to file again based on the actual law “in an effort to have the issues properly framed” for the court.

Separately, Rep. Bailey had filed a motion to amend his own lawsuit. Grischow informed Bailey he could file a new amended motion as long as it complied with the directions she gave to the other plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs have 21 days to get their affairs in order and then the governor will have 21 days to respond.