Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Citizen Participation Act
Court properly denied motion to dismiss Defendants' counterclaim for defamation filed pursuant to Illinois Citizen Participation Act, as Defendants failed to demonstrate affirmatively that counterclaim was retaliatory and thus a SLAPP lawsuit. Court's finding that counterclaim stated a potentially viable cause of action and time and damages evidence do not support inference that it was filed to deter Defendants from exercising their right to free speech or to proceed with suit. (LAMPKIN and REYES, concurring.)