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32 Ill. Ct. Cl. 443

Hunt v. State

Court of Claims of Illinois

Decided March 9, 1979

Court of Claims of Illinois · decided 1979-03-09

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently October 1991

2 state decisions

Relies on 30 Ill. Ct. Cl. 635 - Flaim v. State of Illinois, Department of Corrections

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1979-03-09

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Holderman, J.

¶1This matter is before this Court on a motion to dismiss filed herein by the Respondent, State of Illinois.

¶2The facts are as follows: The complaint was for wrongful death arising out of an accident occurring April 20,1970. It appears in the record that a complaint arising out of the same occurrence was filed in the Circuit Court of McLean County against Robert Blasius, Edward J ermenc, and Fosco Fabrication, a corporation. Robert Blasius was the State engineer in charge of highway work for a certain area. Defendant, Edward Jermenc, was the assistant traffic engineer for the same district area.

¶3On February 29,1972, the Circuit Court of McLean County entered an order dismissing the complaint against the two State employees, finding that they were immune from suit “by reason of their status as public officials, said immunity of governmental officials arising as a result of their requirement to exercise discretion and judgment rather than performing ministerial duties.” No appeal was ever taken from this order.

¶4Respondent now contends this bars any action against the State since the order is res adjudicata and the State cannot be liable if the employees sued are immune from liability. Citing Flaim v. State, 30 Ill.Ct.Cl. 635 (1975) where this Court said:

“Since public officials are immune from liability under Illinois law for negligence in the performance of discretionary duties, their principals, the State, is similarly immune under the doctrine of Respondent superior.”

¶5We have no choice under the record of this case but to allow the motion to dismiss. The order of the McLean Circuit Court is res adjudicata.

¶6Motion to dismiss is hereby granted and this cause is dismissed.

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