That is a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit. The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism.
Illinois has anti-SLAPP legislation so this will likely be dismissed.
That is a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit. The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism.
Illinois has anti-SLAPP legislation so this will likely be dismissed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_lawsuit_against_public_participation