Court Opinion

ID: 9726560
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 12:57:17.426231+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:28.533255
License: Public Domain

BURKE, P. J., dissenting: The affidavits supporting the motion for a summary judgment show that they were made by persons who had personal knowledge of the facts, and that the facts set forth therein would constitute competent evidence on the trial of the cause. The tests related by affiants show that the operation of the machinery in the new plant addition caused no earth vibrations whatsoever at the house of the plaintiff, and that the only vibrations recorded, infinitesimal in amount, existed independently of the operation of the machinery in question. The counteraffidavits filed by the plaintiff were to the effect that at the times when the affiants saw certain tests being made about the premises of the plaintiff, the latter’s house in which they were then located was vibrating. The issue presented is whether vibrations caused by defendant’s new installation are carried through the earth under Des Plaines Street to the house of plaintiff. These affiants had no personal knowledge with respect to the operation of the machinery by the defendant or the relationship thereof to the vibrations. Their statements that the vibrations are caused by the operation of the machinery of the defendant are conclusions and cannot overcome the defendant’s affidavits. Section 57 of the Civil Practice Act [Ill. Rev. Stat. 1957, ch. 110, § 57] states that the judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material facts and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Supreme Court Rule 15 provides that affidavits in support of and in opposition to a motion for summary judgment shall be made on the personal knowledge of the affiants; shall set forth with particularity the facts upon which the claim, counterclaim or defense is based; shall have attached thereto sworn or certified copies of all papers upon which the affiant relies; shall not consist of conclusions but of facts admissible in evidence; and shall affirmatively show that the affiant, if sworn as a witness, can testify competently thereto. The affidavits filed by the plaintiff fail to raise any genuine issue as to a material fact. In my opinion the trial judge was right in allowing the motion for summary judgment and the judgment should be affirmed.