A woman has filed a lawsuit against two prominent local entities, claiming negligence led to her injury. Arica Belbot lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on April 3, 2025, naming the Chicago Transit Authority and the Village of Skokie as defendants.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on May 7, 2024. According to the complaint, Belbot was walking on a sidewalk at the Dempster-Skokie Yellow Line station when she fell due to uneven pavement. The plaintiff alleges that both defendants were responsible for maintaining and repairing this sidewalk but failed in their duties. The lawsuit claims that despite attempts by both parties to fix the defect prior to her fall, these efforts were inadequate and did not address the underlying issue. "The Defendant had a duty to perform said work and to maintain and repair said sidewalk/walkway with reasonable care," states the complaint.
Belbot accuses both the Chicago Transit Authority and the Village of Skokie of several acts of negligence: failing to properly repair, maintain, and inspect the walkway; engaging in negligent and careless maintenance practices; and failing to prevent hazards that could harm pedestrians like herself. As a result of these alleged failures, Belbot claims she sustained personal injuries leading to ongoing pain and suffering. She asserts that her injuries have kept her from performing her usual activities and duties and have necessitated medical treatment. Furthermore, she contends that her earning capacity has been diminished due to this incident.
In seeking redress from the court, Belbot is asking for judgment against each defendant in excess of $50,000. This amount is intended to cover costs related to her injuries as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. Her legal representation comes from Costello, McMahon, Gilbreth & Murphy Ltd., with David E. Gilbreth serving as her attorney.
The case is identified under Case ID 2025L004607 in Calendar Z of Cook County's Law Division Motion Section. The presiding judge has yet to be named publicly.