Court Opinion

ID: 9542989
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:40:59.516057+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:09:24.307971
License: Public Domain

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE GEORGE J. MORAN, dissenting: In my opinion the special interrogatory could not control the verdict on count III of plaintiff’s complaint and therefore as to that count the special interrogatory is void and of no effect. This defect does not have to be objected to either in the trial court or in a post-trial motion in order for us to notice it, because it is fundamental error going to the essence of the case. Fundamental error is error apparent on the face of the record which does not require an examination and weighing of the evidence. Since this error is an error of law apparent on the face of the record, we should notice it even though it may not have been objected to at the trial court level. The plaintiff in his post-trial motion stated that this interrogatory was not controlling upon the issues. Although this contention could have been more artfully drawn, I believe it is sufficient to preserve this point. I also believe that Spring v. Toledo, Peoria & Western R.R. Co. (1976), 44 Ill. App. 3d 3, 357 N.E.2d 1330, holds contrary to the majority opinion on the issue of whether the trial court was correct in directing a verdict on the asserted willful violation of Rule 205 of the Commerce Commissions General Order 138. In relying on the Spring case, the majority quotes the Spring case as saying “The term ‘willful’ entails an intentional disregard of the safety of others, and the absence of care for the life and property of others, which exhibit a conscious indifference to the consequences of the action or inaction of a defendant.” (Emphasis added.) The word “and” should be “or”— a big difference. The majority is also in conflict with Churchill v. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 127, 383 N.E.2d 929, and National Bank v. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 160, 383 N.E.2d 919.