Court Opinion

ID: 9731185
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:37:34.966981+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:08:44.905425
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE HARRISON, dissenting: I respectfully dissent. The appellee has characterized this action as one involving rate-making and based upon this premise rested its entire argument upon the well-established proposition that the Illinois Commerce Commission is endowed with original and exclusive jurisdiction regarding complaints concerning unjust or unreasonable rates. The majority does not disagree with this characterization of the facts. Its conclusion must follow from the rules regarding exclusivity of jurisdiction applicable to proceedings under section 72 of the Public Utilities Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 111 2/3, par. 76), which concerns reparation for overcharges. (E.g., Medusa Portland Cement Co. v. Illinois Central R.R. Co. (1936), 287 Ill. App. 549,562-66,5 N.E.2d 782.) However, I cannot agree with this crucial characterization of the facts as involving a rate dispute. Gowdey v. Commonwealth Edison Co. (1976), 37 Ill. App. 3d 140, 147-49, 345 N.E.2d 785. The Illinois Commerce Commission is a creature of statute deriving its power and jurisdiction entirely therefrom, having no authority other than that expressly granted or necessarily inferable. (Lambdin v. Commerce Com. (1933), 352 Ill. 104, 106, 185 N.E. 221; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Ry. Co. v. Commerce Com. (1925), 315 Ill. 461, 477, 146 N.E. 606.) This statutory authorization is in derogation of the common law and is to be strictly construed (Consumers Sanitary Coffee & Butter Stores v. Commerce Com. (1932), 348 Ill. 615, 618, 181 N.E. 411); especially so in matters of jurisdiction. (See Lambdin v. Commerce Com. (1933), 352 Ill. 104, 108.) Because this matter patently has nothing to do with rate-making, exclusivity of jurisdiction has not been satisfactorily demonstrated by any argument which the appellees advance. To the contrary, I find the Friederich’s contention that section 73 of the Public Utilities Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. Ill 2/3, par. 77) is applicable to the facts of this case persuasive. On the basis of the pleadings alone it is established that plaintiffs allege the violation of an Illinois Commerce Commission regulation. We need look no further than the face of these pleadings for purposes of the determination of this dispute. Section 73 of the Act creates a statutory cause of action based upon the violation by a public utility of any rule or regulation promulgated by the Illinois Commerce Commission and permits the prosecution of such an action in the circuit court. (Churchill v. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 127, 136, 383 N.E.2d 929.) As was stated in Gowdey: “[N]o rate making considerations are involved. In view thereof, we are of the opinion that the action was not for reparations but for damages for which, under section 73 of the Act, the court had subject matter jurisdiction.” (37 Ill. App. 3d 140, 149.) Therefore, I would vote to reverse the decision of the circuit court of St. Clair County, and remand for further proceedings.