Tort Immunity 101 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Tort Immunity 101

The Illinois Local Governmental Tort Immunity Act

A Presentation byDustin Fisher & Mike KujawaSlide2

Tort Immunity 101 Slide3

What is Tort Immunity?Who can use Tort Immunity?When is Tort Immunity Used? How is Tort Immunity Applied?Slide4

Sovereign Immunity;“Crown Immunity”Slide5

It’s good to be the King(or Queen)Slide6

Kinnere v. City of Chicago Holding: Municipalities were agents of the state, and therefore like the state absolutely immune.

171 Ill 332 (1898)Slide7

Molitar v. Kaneland Community Unit DistrictHolding:Units of Local Government no longer given Sovereign Immunity.

18

Ill 2d 11 (1959)Slide8

The Illinois Tort Immunity Act745 ILCS 10/1-101, et seq. Slide9

Absolutely ImmuneFailure to adopt or enforce lawFailure to Issue or suspend any license or permitFailure to inspect, or negligent inspection of private property. Granting or Failure to grant public goods or funds.

Slander, libel, or misrepresentation by public employees. Slide10

Elements of A Typical Tort CaseLegal DutyBreach of Legal DutyProximate CauseDamagesSlide11

The Tort Immunity Act Does Not Create Duties, it Grants Only Immunities and DefensesSlide12

Who is Afforded Tort Immunity?Slide13

Who is Afforded Tort ImmunityLocal Public Entities are defined as (§ 1-206) :“Local public entity” includes a county, township, municipality, municipal corporation, school district, school board, educational service region, regional board of school trustees, trustees of schools of townships, treasurers of schools of townships, community college district, community college board, forest preserve district, park district, fire protection district, sanitary district, museum district, emergency telephone system board, and all other local governmental bodies. “Local public entity” also includes library systems and any intergovernmental agency or similar entity formed pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Illinois or the Intergovernmental Cooperation

Act as well as any not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of conducting public business. It does not include the State or any office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, commission, university or similar agency of the State.

b) Public Employees Employees of (a)

above

c) Does not include the State, or any officer of the State. Slide14

What Actions Are Immunized Under The Tort Immunity Act?State Tort ClaimsTort = Non-Contract Claim for Money DamagesSlide15

State Actions That Are Not Protected by the Tort Immunity Act(745 ILCS 10/2-101)ContractOperation as a common carriers

Workers Compensation ActWorkers Occupational Diseases Act Slide16

Federal Claims Preempt Tort Immunity § 1983 ClaimsStatutory Claims, FELA ClaimsSlide17

When is Tort Immunity Used?Motion Practice, § 2-615 & § 2-619 Motions to Dismiss

Summary Judgment Trial, including Special Interrogatories Slide18

The Tort Immunity Act Bars Numerous Common Causes of Action Without Specific Determinations of Fact. Slide19

1 Year Statute of Limitations745 ILCS 10/8-101

Local government faces heavy burdens in maintaining its vast amounts of property, unlike private persons and private companies.  Therefore, local government has been granted a shortened 1-year statute of limitations for injuries to persons arising from government property and activities.  Section 8-101 of the Tort Immunity Act provides a 1-year statute of limitations (745 ILCS 10/8-101).

The 1-year Tort Immunity Act statute of limitations provides as follows:

8-101. Limitation of actions

§ 8-101.  No civil action may be commenced in any court against a local entity or any of its employees for any injury unless it is commenced within one year from the date that the injury was received or the cause of action accrued.  For purposes of this Article, the term “civil action” includes any action, whether based upon the common law or statutes or Constitution of this State.  (745 ILCS 10/8-101.)Slide20

Punitive Damages745 ILCS 10/2-102§ 2-102. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a local public entity is not liable to pay punitive or exemplary damages in any action brought directly or indirectly against it by the injured party or a third party. In addition, no public official is liable to pay punitive or exemplary damages in any action arising out of an act or omission made by the public official while serving in an official executive, legislative, quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial capacity, brought directly or indirectly against him by the injured party or a third party.Slide21

Claims For Defamation745 ILCS 10/2-107.

Local government, a local public entity, receives immunity protection from claims for damages to persons who claim a local public entity employee has defamed them and caused damage to their reputations.  Section  2-107 of the Tort Immunity Act grants local government absolute immunity from libel and slander.

Section 2-107, libel & slander immunity, of the Tort Immunity Act reads as follows:

2-107.  Libel – slander – provision of information

      § 2-107.  A local public entity is not liable for injury caused by any action of its employees that is libelous or slanderous or for the provision of information either orally, in writing, in a book or other form of library material.  (745 ILCS 10/2-107.)

For example,

see

Gavery v. County of Lake

, 160 Ill.App.3d 761, 513 N.E.2d 1127 (2

nd

Dist. 1987) (§ 2-107 libel immunity for letter written by county personnel director to county employees stating they could not use the services of Dr. Gavery d/b/a Lakewood Medical Center because of problems regarding misdiagnosed medical problems, non-referral to specialist, and patients being released too soon from the hospital).

Slide22

Nearly All Claims For Negligence Two Major Exceptions3-102 Premises liability on Non-Recreational property2-202 Immunity – what is execution or enforcement of law.Slide23

Hudson v. City of Chicago228 Ill 2d 462 (2008)Plaintiff files 2 count complaint against City for failing to provide emergency services. Count I for negligenceCount II for wilful and wanton Misconduct. Slide24

Hudson v. City of ChicagoCount I – was dismissed with prejudice under EMS act.Count II – the wilful and wanton count, survived.Plaintiff exercised right to voluntarily dismiss.

228 ILL 2d 462 (2008)Slide25

A LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY HAS A DUTY TO MAINTAIN ITS PREMISES IN REASONABLY SAFE CONDITION ONLY FOR “INTENDED AND PERMITTED USERS” (NOT TRESPASSERS)  AND THERE IS NO LIABILITY FOR DEFECTS ON THE PREMISES UNLESS THE OWNER HAS NOTICE OF THE DEFECT IN TIME TO REPAIR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/3-102(a).

Section 3-102(a) provides as follows:

§ 3-102

(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this Article, a local public entity has the duty to exercise ordinary care to maintain its property in a reasonably safe condition for the use in the exercise of ordinary care of people whom the entity intended and permitted to use the property in a manner in which and at such times as it was reasonably foreseeable that it would be used, and shall not be liable for injury unless it is proven that it has actual or constructive notice of the existence of such a condition that is not reasonably safe in reasonably adequate time prior to an injury to have taken measures to remedy or protect against such condition.  (745 ILCS 10/3-102(a).)

§

3-102Slide26

Government owns and is responsible for maintenance of vast amounts of public property open for the use of the public and, therefore, has immunity protection available to protect it against liability for injuries on public property under § 3-102.  Liability for negligence in maintenance of property will exist, under § 3-102, only if:

Plaintiff was an “intended and permitted user” of such property; and

The public entity has notice of the defective condition in sufficient time to allow repairs to be made.

Section 3-102(a) of the Tort Immunity Act grants immunity to local government by providing a local public entity’s duty to maintain its property in “reasonably safe condition” extends only to persons intended by local government to be

both

“intended and permitted users” of the property.  An “intended user” is one for whose use the property was planned, designed, constructed and maintained.  A “permitted user” is one who is on the property with permission — a non-trespasser.            Slide27

The following cases illustrate that pedestrians are not “intended users” of streets, parkways and alleys, although they may be “permitted users” and that bicyclists are not “intended users” of streets, though they may be “permitted users,” and, therefore, no duty is owed to them.

Boub v. Township of Wayne

,

183 Ill. 2d 520, 702 N.E.2d 535 (1998) (Bicyclist on township road and bridge not an “intended user,” as required in § 3-102(a) of Tort Immunity Act, and, therefore, township immune from liability pursuant to § 3-102(a) of Tort Immunity Act when bike wheel caught in gap between wooden slats on township bridge causing bike to flip over and cyclist to sustain serious injuries).

Lewis v. Rutland Township

,

359 Ill.App.3d 1076, 824 N.E.2d 1213 (3

rd

Dist. 2005) (Township not liable because of no “notice” of depression or rut in road struck by school bus driver who was injured because no depression existed on Friday when school bus drove on

the

road, but depression existed on Monday due to rains and flooding over the weekend).Slide28

A LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY FOR “FAILURE TO SUPERVISE” AN “ACTIVITY ON OR USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY” UNLESS THE LAW REQUIRES SUPERVISION — A STATUTE, CODE OR ORDINANCE REQUIRES SUPERVISION.  TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/3-108(b).

A local public entity is granted immunity for its supervision or failure to supervise activities on or the use of public property by § 3-108(a) and (b), supervision immunity, of the Tort Immunity Act.  (745 ILCS 10/3-108(a)(b).)

If no supervision is provided and if the common law/case law or some statute, code, ordinance, or regulation does not require supervision, the immunity is absolute and unconditional.  (§ 3-108(b).)

If supervision is provided or if the law requires supervision, then there is immunity from negligence, but no immunity from

wilful

and wanton conduct.  (§ 3-108(a).)

§ 3-108Slide29

§ 3-108.    

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, neither a local public entity nor a public employee who undertakes to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property is liable for an injury unless the local public entity or public employee is guilty of

wilful

and wanton conduct in its supervision proximately causing such injury.

 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury caused by a failure to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property unless the employee or the local public entity has a duty to provide supervision imposed by common law, statute, ordinance, code or regulation and the local public entity or public employee is guilty of

wilful

and wanton conduct in its failure to provide supervision proximately causing such injury.  (745 ILCS 10/3-108(a) & (b).)

Valentino v. Hilquist

,

337 Ill.App.3d 461, 785 N.E.2d 891 (1

st

Dist. 2003) (Community college board of trustees entitled to full blanket supervision immunity (§ 3-108) immunity for former employee’s intentional battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims stemming from negligent supervision of department vice president, pursuant to provision of Tort Immunity Act in effect at time of injury).Slide30

A LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR A CONDITION OF RECREATIONAL PROPERTY UNLESS IT IS GUILTY OF WILFUL AND WANTON CONDUCT.  TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/3-106.

§ 3-106

3-106.  Property used for recreational purposes

§ 3-106.  Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury where the liability is based upon the existence of a condition of any public property intended or permitted to be used for recreational purposes, including but not limited to parks, playgrounds, open areas, buildings, or other enclosed recreational facilities, unless such local entity or public employee is guilty of

wilful

and wanton conduct proximately causing such injury.  (745 ILCS 10/3-106.)

1-210. 

wilful

And Wanton Conduct

§ 1-210.  “

wilful

and wanton conduct” as used in this Act means a course of action which shows an actual or deliberate intention to cause harm or which, if not intentional, shows an utter indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others or their property.  (745 ILCS 10/1-210.)Slide31

The Appellate Court, in

A.D. v. Forest Preserve District of Kane County

, 313 Ill.App.3d 919, 731 N.E.2d 955 (2

nd

Dist. 2000), set out the three-pronged test required to prove

wilful

and wanton conduct:  (1) knowledge of dangerous condition; (2) knowledge of prior accidents and injuries from the condition; or, (3) removal of safety device from the recreational property.  The Court explained:

In order to establish

wilful

and wanton conduct, a plaintiff must prove that a defendant engaged in a ‘course of action’ that proximately caused the injury . . . A public entity may be found to have engaged in

wilful

and wanton conduct only if it has been informed of a dangerous condition, knew others had been injured because of the condition, or if it intentionally removed a safety device or feature from property used for recreational purposes.  (313 Ill.App.3d at 924, 731 N.E.2d at 959.)Slide32

Section 1-210's definition of “

wilful and wanton conduct” requires the Defendant’s “course of action” reveal Defendant’s mental state, dismissive of Plaintiff’s safety — that Defendant’s actions show “utter indifference to” or “conscious disregard for” Plaintiff’s safety:

(1)  “Utter indifference to” plaintiff’s safety means, “entire, complete, absolute and total disregard” for plaintiff’s safety.  (Black’s Law Dictionary).

(2)  “Conscious disregard for” plaintiff’s safety means, “intentional, knowing, purposefully ignoring” plaintiff’s safety.  (Black’s Law Dictionary).Slide33

The following cases found no

wilful and wanton conduct because the conduct involved did not show “utter indifference to” or “conscious disregard for” plaintiff’s safety.  “Utter indifference to” or “conscious disregard for” plaintiff’s safety means defendant knew of a defective condition, knew injury was almost bound to happen, and chose to do nothing.

(1) 

Oravek v. Community Dist. No. 146

, 264 Ill.App.3d 895, 637 N.E.2d 554 (1

st

Dist. 1992) (No

wilful

& wanton conduct for school district not to remove skateboard ramp on school property in violation of school policy where plaintiff injured riding bike onto ramp inadvertently).

(2) 

Bialek v. Moraine Valley Community College School Dist. No. 524

, 267 Ill.App.3d 857, 642 N.E.2d 825 (1

st

Dist 1994) (No

wilful

& wanton conduct where plaintiff collided with goal post used as boundary marker playing pick-up football — not

wilful

and wanton for college not to remove or pad goal post).

(3) Koltes v. St. Charles Park District

, 293 Ill.App.3d 171, 687 N.E.2d 543 (2

nd

Dist. 1997) (No

wilful

and wanton conduct on Park District’s part where golfer standing by woman’s tee hit by golfer on men’s tee even though Park District knew of a similar prior accident because knowledge of one prior accident and non-action thereafter is not a “course of conduct” which shows “utter indifference to” plaintiff’s safety)Slide34

WHAT IS RECREATIONAL PROPERTY — REXROAD V. CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, 207 ILL.2d 33, 796 N.E.2d 1040 (2003)?

Section 3-106, recreational property immunity, grants immunity to a local public entity, except for

wilful

and wanton conduct, for injuries caused by a

condition

(not activities) of public property

intended

or

permitted

to be used for recreational purposes.

What is “recreational” property? 

Whether property is “recreational property” is determined by its nature, intended use, and past use.  But, analysis is on a case-by-case basis.  An example will help explain.Slide35

Is a parking lot “recreational property”?  It can or cannot be, as two Supreme Court cases illustrate:

(1) 

Sylvester v. Chicago Park District

, 179 Ill.2d 500, 689 N.E.2d 1119 (1997) (Parking lot across street from Soldier Field, where plaintiff tripped over concrete parking bumper, was “recreational property” under § 3-106 because it increased the usefulness of Soldier Field used for recreational purposes).

Thus, non-recreational property (parking lot) can be “recreational property” if its use increases/aids/allows use of recreational property.

(2)  

Rexroad v. City of Springfield

, 207 Ill.2d 33, 796 N.E.2d  1040 (2003) (Parking lot located to serve the school, football practice field and locker room, where plaintiff fell in a hole under construction, was not recreational property under § 3-106 because it served the whole school and was not primarily serving and increasing the usefulness of recreational property — it did so only incidentally).

The Supreme Court in

Rexroad

characterized the parking lot as only “incidental” to recreational property.

“We hold that any recreational use of the parking lot in question was so incidental that § 3-106 does not apply.”  (207 Ill.2d at 43, 796 N.E.2d at 1045.)Slide36

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: DISCRETIONARY OR JUDGMENT-CALL IMMUNITY FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES MAKING A POLICY DECISION BALANCING CONFLICTING INTERESTS OF SAFETY, EFFICIENCY, TIME, RESOURCES AND MANPOWER AND EXERCISING DISCRETION BY MAKING A JUDGMENT-CALL AND SELECTING THE BEST METHOD.  TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/2-201, DISCRETIONARY IMMUNITY.

A public employee of a local public entity has discretionary immunity when making a policy decision and exercising judgment as to how to act, pursuant to § 2-201, discretionary immunity of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2-201).  If a public employee is not liable by virtue of § 2-201 discretionary immunity, the local public entity, as his or her employer, cannot be liable and is immune from liability (745 ILCS 10/2-109).

§ 2-201 Slide37

2-201.  Determination of Policy or Exercise of Discretion

            § 2-201.  Except as otherwise provided by Statute, a public employee serving in a position involving the determination of policy or the exercise of discretion is not liable for an injury resulting from his act or omission in determining policy when acting in the exercise of such discretion.  (745 ILCS 10/2-201.)

The Illinois Supreme Court applied a two-pronged test to determine when § 2-201 discretionary immunity applies in the case of

Harinek v. 161 No. Clark St. Ltd. Partnership

.  (

Harinek v. 161 No. Clark St. Ltd. Partnership

, 181 Ill.2d 335, 692 N.E.2d 1177 (1998) (Chicago city fire marshal not liable for injuries during a fire drill by virtue of § 2-201, discretionary immunity, where he made a policy decision balancing competing interests of efficiency, safety, resources and time and exercised his discretion or best judgment in determining how, when and where to conduct the fire drill).)Slide38

The Supreme Court in Harinek used a two-pronged test to determine when § 2-201 discretionary immunity bars any cause of action:

(1)       

a policy decision

— balancing of competing interests — the fire marshal balanced the interests of efficiency, safety, resources, time, and personnel.

(2)       

the exercise of discretion or judgment

— choosing the best solution — the fire marshal exercised discretion in deciding how, when, and where to conduct the fire drill.

The law looks at the actions of local public employees in one of two fashions: 

the actions are “ministerial”; or

the actions are “discretionary.”

Ministerial actions are those imposed by and compelled by law.  Ministerial actions are actions an employee must perform because they are required by the law — a statute, code, ordinance or common law/case law rule.

All non-ministerial actions are discretionary, involving a judgment call left up the employee to make.Slide39

Illustrative of discretionary judgment-calls for which § 2-201, discretionary immunity, provides immunity are the following:

(1)  

Arteman v. Clinton Community Unit School District No. 15

, 198 Ill.2d 475, 763 N.E.2d 756 (2002) (§ 2-201 discretionary immunity for School District for failure to provide kneepads as safety equipment for rollerblades in gym class where student fell and fractured leg — § 2-201 of Tort Immunity Act trumps duty of School District to furnish safety equipment under School Code/ “

in loco parentis

” statute).

(2) 

Harrison v. Hardin County Community Unit School District No. 1

, 197 Ill.2d 466, 758 N.E.2d 848 (2001) (§ 2-201 discretionary immunity barred suit against School District for decision not to grant student early dismissal where snow storm approaching — when student released with all students later, student in auto accident in snow & motorist sued student & School District).

(3) 

In re

Estate of Elfayer v. City of Chicago

, 325 Ill.App.3d 1076, 757 N.E.2d 581 (1

st

Dist. 2001) (§ 2-201 discretionary immunity for City’s decision to install 8" concrete median barriers on city streets as no statutes or codes required certain height measurements on median barriers — where drunk driver crossed 8 inch center median barrier and hit oncoming auto head-on).Slide40

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES — SIGNS, LIGHTS, SIGNALS: A LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO “INITIALLY INSTALL” STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WARNING DEVICES, LIGHTING AND BARRICADES UNDER § 3-104 OF THE TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/3-104.

3-104.  Failure to Provide Traffic Signals and Signs

§ 3-104.  Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable under this Act for an injury caused by the failure to initially provide regulatory traffic control devices, stop signs, yield right-of-way signs, speed restriction signs, distinctive roadway markings or any other traffic regulating or warning sign, device or marking, signs, overhead lights, traffic separating or restraining devices or barriers.  (745 ILCS 10/3-104.)

(1) 

Ramirez v. Village of River Grove

, 266 Ill.App.3d 930, 641 N.E.2d 7 (1

st

Dist. 1994) (§ 3-104 warning sign immunity trumped any duty of Village to install a “Railroad Advance Warning” sign per ICC Regulations and Uniform Manual thus barring plaintiff’s cause of action).

§ 3-104Slide41

(2)  

Gresham v. Kirby

, 229 Ill.App.3d 952, 595 N.E.2d 201 (4

th

Dist. 1992) (City had § 3-104 signing devices immunity for accident at intersection of city street and State highway where city posted stop signs and there had been 8 other accidents and one death where cars pulled from stop sign into through traffic on State road).

(3) 

Thompson v. Cook County Forest Preserve District

,

231 Ill.App.3d 88, 595 N.E.2d 1254 (1

st

Dist. 1992)  (Forest Preserve had no duty to install a sidewalk along forest preserve parking and restroom facilities and § 3-104 signing immunity for failure to post signs warning of pedestrians crossing roadway).

(4) 

Prostran v. City of Chicago

, 349 Ill.App.3d 81, 811 N.E.2d 364 (1

st

Dist. 2004) (City had no duty to warn pedestrian on sidewalk crossing alley of open and obvious danger of debris and rocks in construction work in alley and § 3-104 immunity for failure to install signs or barricades at alley warning pedestrians).Slide42

WEATHER IMMUNITY: § 3-105, WEATHER IMMUNITY, OF THE TORT IMMUNITY ACT GRANTS LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITIES IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR INJURIES CAUSED BY THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER — WIND, RAIN, ICE, SNOW, FLOOD AND HAIL — UPON STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, SIDEWALKS AND OTHER “PUBLIC WAYS OR PLACES OR WAYS ADJOINING.”  TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/3-105.

As the Illinois Appellate Court stated in the case of

Enriquez v. City of Chicago

, 187 Ill.App.3d 1110, 543 N.E.2d 905 (1

st

Dist. 1989), § 3-105, weather immunity, is merely the statutory codification of the “no liability for natural accumulations of ice, snow and water” rule:

When enacted, this section of the Act codified the preexisting common law rule of non-liability and also extended that rule to counties. . . .   (187 Ill.App.3d at 1115, 543 N.E.2d at 908.)

§ 3-105Slide43

3-105.  Use of streets, etc.

Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury caused by the effect of weather conditions as such on the use of streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks or other public ways, or places, or the ways adjoining any of the foregoing.  . . . For purposes of this section, the effect of weather conditions as such includes but is not limited to the effect of wind, rain, flood, hail, ice or snow . (745 ILCS 10/3-105.)

Section 3-105, weather immunity, of the Tort Immunity Act provides, in pertinent part, as follows:Slide44

EXECUTION OR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW: A LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR NEGLIGENCE WHEN EXECUTING OR ENFORCING THE LAW, BUT CAN BE LIABLE FOR WILFUL AND WANTON CONDUCT UNDER § 2-202, EXECUTION OR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW IMMUNITY. TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/2-202.

Section 2-202 of the Tort Immunity Act serves to absolve a police officer from liability for allegations of mere negligence where the allegedly wrongful act or omission occurs while the officer is in the execution or enforcement of any law.  Section 2-202 of the Act provides as follows:

2-202.  Execution or enforcement of law

§ 2-202.  A public employee is not liable for his act or omission in the execution or enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes

wilful

and wanton conduct.  (745 ILCS 10/2-202.)

§ 2-202Slide45

There are number of Illinois cases on § 2-202 immunity (no liability for ordinary negligence, just liability for

wilful and wanton conduct).  Some of the cases include the following:

(1) 

Thompson v. City of Chicago

, 108 Ill.2d 429, 484 N.E.2d 1086 (1985) (Police officer who struck plaintiff while driving his car in reverse to retreat from unruly crowd was engaged in the enforcement of the law; because § 2-202 applied, trial court should have directed verdict in favor of defendants on negligence allegations).

(2) 

Fitzpatrick v. City of Chicago

, 112 Ill.2d 211, 492 N.E.2d 1292 (1986) (Held:  police officer’s act of parking squad car partially in lanes of traffic for purpose of investigating vehicle accident constituted act in the execution or enforcement of the law; cause remanded with directions to enter directed verdict in favor of police officer and his employer).

(3) 

Morris v. City of Chicago

, 130 Ill.App.3d 740, 474 N.E.2d 1274 (1

st

Dist. 1985) (Police officer and his employer were immune from allegations of mere negligence pursuant to § 2-202, where officer’s car slid on a patch of ice and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle while officer was responding to “in progress” call on police radio; although officer had turned off siren, he left flashing head lamps on immediately before collision).

(4) 

Bruecks v. County of Lake

, 276 Ill.App.3d 567, 658 N.E.2d 538 (2

nd

Dist. 1995) (§ 2-202 execution or enforcement of law immunity where deputy in accident responding to shots fired radio call — no

wilful

and wanton conduct).Slide46

POLICE PROTECTION, SERVICES, FAILURE TO ARREST IMMUNITY: § 4-102, FAILURE TO PREVENT CRIME, PROVIDE POLICE PROTECTION OR ADEQUATE POLICE PROTECTION IMMUNITY, GRANTS IMMUNITY FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE POLICE PROTECTION, PREVENT CRIME, SOLVE CRIMES OR APPREHEND CRIMINALS. TORT IMMUNITY ACT, 745 ILCS 10/4-102.

Neither a local public entity nor a local public employee can prevent criminal conduct of third persons and they are provided absolute immunity for failure to do so (one cannot be his brother’s keeper) by virtue of § 4-102, police protection, failure to prevent criminal conduct immunity of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/4-102).

This immunity is sometimes overlooked in the school context because it is denominated “police protection” and while it does also apply to police officers, it applies to all public employees.

§ 4-102Slide47

Section 4-102, police protection or failure to prevent criminal conduct immunity, of the Tort Immunity Act provides as follows:

4-102.  Police protection

§ 4-102.  Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for failure to establish a police department or otherwise provide police protection service or, if police protection service is provided, for failure to provide adequate police protection or service, failure to prevent the commission of crimes, failure to detect or solve crimes, and failure to identify or apprehend criminals.  This immunity is not waived by contract for private security service, but cannot be transferred to any non-public entity or employee.  (745 ILCS 10/4-102.)Slide48

The following cases hold that § 4-102 Police Protection Service Immunity bars any cause of action for negligence or

wilful

and wanton conduct in providing inadequate police protection:

(1)

Barnes v. Chicago Housing Authority

, 326 Ill.App.3d 710, 761 N.E.2d 283 (1

st

Dist. 2001) (§ 4-102 police protection immunity barred action of father and daughter against CHA for gang attack on them where CHA failed to renew contract of security guard service providing security protection from gangs at housing project — § 4-102 bars actions both on a negligence theory and a

wilful

and wanton conduct theory).

(2)

Lawson v. City of Chicago

, 278 Ill.App.3d 628, 662 N.E.2d 1377 (1

st

Dist. 1996) (both City and Board of Education immune from liability by § 4-102 police protection immunity for shooting of student at school by suspended student who came into school with gun not detected on metal detector which was not operating at  the time — a voluntary undertaking did not create an exception to § 4-102 immunity, police protection immunity).