Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be a civil law case. Civil law courts provide a forum for deciding disputes involving torts (such as accidents, negligence, and libel), contract disputes, the probate of wills, trusts, property disputes, administrative law, commercial law, and any other private matters that involve private parties or organizations including government departments. The objectives of civil law are different from other types of law. In civil law there is the attempt to right a wrong, honor an agreement, or settle a dispute. If there is a victim, they get compensation, and the person who is the cause of the wrong pays, this being a civilized form of, or legal alternative to, revenge.
East Dubuque is a city in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,995 at the 2000 census. East Dubuque is located alongside the Mississippi River. Across the river is the city of Dubuque, Iowa. About three miles north of the city is the Illinois - Wisconsin border. East Dubuque was originally known as Dunleith. The main roads in East Dubuque are Sinsinawa Avenue and U.S. Route 20 (Wall Street). The Julien Dubuque Bridge serves as the connection between East Dubuque and Dubuque. Illinois Route 35 serves as the primary connection between East Dubuque and Wisconsin. The community is known for the number of bars located along Sinsinawa Ave. These establishments are quite popular during the weekend because East Dubuque's mandatory closing time for bars - 3:30am - is later than that of Dubuque's. This does lead to problems with public intoxication, drunk driving, and related disturbances. Additional law enforcement is usually assigned to patrol that part of the city. The city has announced that it is making bars close earlier. In general the business community has opposed this as they claim that a large percentage of their revenue comes in after midnight. At one time, the Silver Eagle Casino was located in East Dubuque. The casino eventually went bankrupt because of competition from riverboat and land based operations in Dubuque. The Silver Eagle's casino license was given to another operation. The city council is considering asking the state to allow for another casino operation to be located in East Dubuque. The Silver Eagle's dockside facilities were eventually purchased by a local man and turned into an events center for parties and meetings. Because of the proximity of East Dubuque to the Mississippi river, the city has at times flooded, particularly in the low lying areas near the river.