Roman Okrei, Attorney At Law

Divided IL Supreme Court tosses rule protecting police, fire depts from lawsuits, says rule outdated, despite precedent

By Jonathan Bilyk | Friday, Jan 22, 2016 @ 4:53pm

For decades, Illinois cities, villages, fire protection districts and others providing police, fire protection and ambulance services have enjoyed general immunity from lawsuits brought by plaintiffs who may accuse paramedics, firefighters and police officers of failing to provide the level of protection or response individuals may believe they should have. On Jan. 22, however, a majority of justices on the Illinois Supreme Court decided the time had come to undo the judicial rule.