Court Opinion

ID: 9521041
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 01:55:49.525676+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:47:33.540644
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE GOLDENHERSH, dissenting: In Foster v. Chicago & North Western Transportation Co. (1984), 102 Ill. 2d 378, the majority paid lip service to the rule that absent an abuse of discretion the decision of the trial court allowing or denying a motion to dismiss on the ground of forum non conveniens should not be disturbed. In this opinion it makes no mention whatsoever of the trial court’s discretion and concludes that, as a matter of convenience, the case should be tried in either Clinton, Iowa, or in Whiteside County, Illinois. The orderly administration of justice would require that the majority explain why trial court discretion is no longer to be considered and, while so explaining, might also comment on the demise of the long-established rule that an abuse of discretion is found only in those situations where the opposite result is clearly apparent. Not only has the majority completely ignored our many cases which hold that the ruling on a forum non conveniens motion is a matter of trial court discretion, but it has also done violence to the concept that allowance of a leave to appeal under Rule 306 is a matter of appellate court discretion. Here, the appellate court considered the matter and in its discretion denied leave to appeal. The majority, therefore, has apparently “parlayed” two findings of abuse of discretion in order to reach out and take this case. As I read the opinion, the majority seems to hold that some “connection” is required between this case and Madison County for it to remain there. There is no such requirement in the Federal Employers’ Liability Act; that act requires only that the defendant employer be doing business in the county at the time of the commencement of the action.