Court Opinion

ID: 9519476
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 01:17:10.865158+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:44:24.808756
License: Public Domain

CHIEF JUSTICE RYAN, dissenting: In my opinion, the holding in this case as to the effect of a general release cannot be squared with the majority opinion in Alsup v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (1984), 101 Ill. 2d 196. In fact, the explanation of the majority in this case as to why the general release released all claims tracks closely the rationale of my dissent in Alsup. The arguments put forth in the opinion in this case, in support of the holding that a general release releases all claims, apply equally well to the argument that a general release should also release all tortfeasors. If Alsup is the law of this State (and, unfortunately, it is), then for the sake of consistency, the general release in this case should be construed as not releasing the right of contribution. Section 2 of the Contribution Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 70, par. 302) does not justify the distinction. I therefore dissent. JUSTICE UNDERWOOD joins in this dissent.