Court Opinion

ID: 9519013
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 01:07:23.956176+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:40:48.118825
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE WOLFSON, dissenting: I respectfully dissent. It is true that a tavern operator has a duty to take reasonable action to protect its invitees from foreseeable dangers caused by third persons. St. Phillips v. O’Donnell, 137 Ill. App. 3d 639, 484 N.E.2d 1209 (1985). But, as we have held, "In those cases where such a duty has been imposed, however, the injurious act occurred on the defendant’s premises or in a parking lot owned or operated by the defendant.” Badillo v. DeVivo, 161 Ill. App. 3d 596, 598, 515 N.E.2d 681 (1987). Here, the plaintiff was stabbed by Rodriguez while the two men were on the public sidewalk. Rodriguez had not been part of whatever altercation had taken place inside the tavern. No one in the tavern requested or demanded that the plaintiff leave. The plaintiff was stabbed about 15 minutes after he left the tavern. I do not understand a business operator’s duty to protect a customer to extend to the public sidewalks or streets. Until today, at least, no court in Illinois has so held. I believe the property line distinction is reasonable and sensible. The owner’s duty is to keep his premises reasonably safe for use of invitees and licensees. Expanding it to a public sidewalk creates an unreasonable and unpredictable burden on the operator. I would affirm the grant of summary judgment.