Opinion ID: 3135357
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Divergence from Dawdy

Text: In Dawdy, the plaintiff, a resident of Greene County, was driving a tractor in Macoupin County when he collided with a truck operated by an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific). Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 169. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific and its employee in the circuit court of Madison County alleging that the employee negligently operated the truck, that Union Pacific negligently failed to train and supervise the employee, and that Union Pacific negligently failed to ensure that attachments on the truck would not extend beyond the width of the vehicle when it was operated on public streets. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 169. The employee was a resident of Macoupin County. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 170. Union Pacific, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Omaha, Nebraska, did business in both Macoupin County and Madison County and operated a facility in the latter. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 170. The 18 potential witnesses resided in various counties. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 170. The defendants filed a motion to transfer venue from Madison County to Macoupin County under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, which the circuit court denied. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 170. -19- On appeal, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of the circuit court. Dawdy, 207 Ill. 2d at 171. In reversing, this court balanced the private and public interest factors relevant to the forum non conveniens analysis and concluded that the circuit court abused its discretion in denying the defendant=s motion to transfer. Dawdy, 207