Court Opinion

ID: 9859535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 21:58:02.476298+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:52:08.613110
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Schaefer, dissenting: In 1958, in O’Callaghan v. Waller & Beckwith Realty Co., 15 Ill.2d 436, this court considered the validity, at common law, of exculpatory clauses in residential leases. The case was a very close one, and two members of the court joined in a strong dissent from the opinion which sustained their validity. The prevailing opinion concluded with a request for legislative action: “Other jurisdictions have dealt with this problem by legislation. [Citations.] In our opinion the subject is one that is appropriate for legislative rather than judicial action.” (15 Ill.2d at 441.) The General Assembly responded promptly, and in 1959 adopted the statute which is now held unconstitutional. I agree that the statute as written violates the constitution, for the reasons stated in the opinion of the majority. But I regard the enactment of the statute as an expression of the public policy of the State which this court should respect, even though it cannot be given complete effect according to its terms. That statute declares “void as against public policy and wholly unenforceable” every exculpatory clause in any lease, business or residential, with the narrow and irrational exception in favor of particular lessors and lessees of business property which totally defeats its major purpose. I would hold that the statute, despite its invalidity, is an expression of public policy which fully justifies this court in now holding, as a matter of common law, that exculpatory clauses in leaseholds are void.