The claim against the Answering Service was based on alleged negligence in responding to the Crowells' telephone call. Thereafter, Heather and her mother sought leave of court to dismiss the suit in Jackson County circuit court. Golz and the Orthopedic Clinic protested the dismissal request. The Jackson County suit remains pending. Golz, the Orthopedic Clinic, and the Answering Service filed motions to transfer this case from St. Clair County to Jackson County, arguing that Jackson County was much more convenient to the parties and the witnesses and that Jackson County circuit court civil dockets were far less congested than the St. Clair County circuit court civil dockets.
All defendants appeal.
The doctrine of forum non conveniens begins with the assumption that there is more than one forum having jurisdiction and venue over the case. 277 Ill. App. The trial court is vested with great discretion in determining whether the case should be transferred on the basis of forum non conveniens. We will only reverse the trial court's decision relative to that issue if the trial court abused its discretion. 277 Ill. App.