Immunities

• Author: Jennifer Duncan-Brice
• Pages: 201-262

4-1 (Rev. 12, 9/16)

Chapter 4

IMMUNITIES

QUICK VIEW

Definition: Immunities bar or limit liability of certain entities and parties.

Scope of Chapter: Most of the immunity provisions are created by the legislature and apply to governmental

bodies. The philosophy behind the creation of a governmental immunity is that because governmental

entities have limited resources, their liability must be limited to ensure the ability of the body to perform its

governmental functions. Other immunities encourage certain actions or activities deemed desirable by the

legislature by protecting people who engage in them, such as good Samaritans and reporters of suspected

child abuse and neglect. Finally a few immunities have survived the common law, such as judicial immunity.

Strategies and Tactics: Some immunities are an absolute bar to an action and can be asserted as an

affirmative defense or the basis of a motion to dismiss. Other immunities raise questions of fact that are

resolved by a jury but still must be raised as an affirmative defense. If the immunity is not raised, it can be

waived. When assessing the value of a case or the likelihood of success, any applicable immunity should be

carefully reviewed.

Statutes and Rules: 210 ILCS 30/8, 210 ILCS 50/3.150, 210 ILCS 85/10.2, 225 ILCS 60/5, 325 ILCS 2/25

and 2/27, 325 ILCS 5/1 and 5/9, 625 ILCS 5/11-205, 625 ILCS 5/11-500.1, 625 ILCS 5/18c-7401(3), 745

ILCS 5/0.01, 745 ILCS 10/1-101, 745 ILCS 15/0.01, 745 ILCS 19/1, 745 ILCS 22/1, 745 ILCS 30/0.01, 745

ILCS 35/1, 745 ILCS 38/1, 745 ILCS 40/0.01, 745 ILC43/1, 745 ILCS 43/1, 745 ILCS 45/0.01, 745 ILCS

46/1, 745 ILCS 47/1, 745 ILCS 49/1, 745 ILCS 50/1, 745 ILCS 52/1, 745 ILCS 55/1, 745 ILCS 60/0.01,

734 ILCS 65/1, 745 ILCS 70/1, 745 ILCS 72/1, 745 ILCS 75/0.01, 745 ILCS 80/0.01, 750 ILCS 60/305.

Related Topics: Taking the Case, Ch 1; Attacking the Pleadings, Ch 15; Summary Judgment Ch 30.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. General Concepts

A. Overview

§4:01 Background

§4:02 Sources of Specific Immunities

B. Effect

§4:10 Derogation of the Common Law

§4:11 Affirmative Matters

ILLINO IS PRETR IAL PRAC TICE 4-2

§4:12 Immunity vs. Duty

§4:13 Two Conflicting Immunities

§4:14 Municipal Corporation Seeks Relief

II. State Lawsuit Immunity Act

A. General Points

§4:20 State Has Immunity Except. . .

§4:21 Illinois Public Labor Relations Act

§4:22 Court of Claims Act

§4:23 State Can Choose to Be a Party

§4:24 Officer Suit Exception

B. Waiver

§4:30 No Waiver of Immunity by State

§4:31 Waiver by Legislature

C. Actions Against State Agents or Employees

§4:40 State Agents or Employees

§4:41 Determination if Action Is Against State

§4:42 Violation of Statutory or Constitutional Laws

§4:43 Independent Contractors

§4:44 Circumstances of Activity

§4:45 Officer Suit Exception

D. Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

§4:50 Injunctive Relief

§4:51 Who Can File an Injunction?

§4:52 Declaratory Relief

III. Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act

A. In General

§4:60 General Purpose

§4:61 Definition of Employee

§4:62 Definition of Injury

§4:63 Definition of Local Public Entity

§4:64 Definition of Willful and Wanton Conduct

B. General Immunities Directed to Local Public Entities and Employees

§4:70 Application of the Act

§4:71 Punitive Damages

§4:72 Enactments, Laws, Permits, Licenses, etc.

§4:73 Inspection of Property

§4:74 Libel and Slander

§4:75 Public Entity Not Liable if Employee Is Not

§4:76 Exercise of Discretion

§4:77 Ministerial Decisions

4-3 IMMUNI TIES

(Rev. 12, 9/16)

§4:78 Execution and Enforcement of the Law

§4:79 Proceeding Under Invalid Enactment

§4:80 Acts or Omissions of Another

§4:81 Instituting Judicial, Administrative Proceedings or Legislative

§4:82 Authorized Entry Upon Property

§4:83 Negligent Provision of Information

§4:84 School Safety Patrol

§4:85 Court Volunteers

§4:86 Defense of Actions Against Employees and Indemnification

§4:87 Statute of Limitations

C. Immunities Regarding Public Property

§4:100 Public Property Defined

§4:101 Maintenance of Public Property

§4:102 Defective Condition of Property

§4:103 Intended and Permitted User of Property

§4:104 Discretionary vs. Ministerial Acts Concerning Property

§4:105 De Minimus Defect in Property

§4:106 Natural vs. Unnatural Accumulation on Property

§4:107 Plan or Design Improvement of Property

§4:108 Failure to Provide Traffic Signals and Signs

§4:109 Use of Streets

§4:110 Property Used for Recreational Purposes

§4:111 Access Roads or Trails

§4:112 Supervision of Activity

§4:113 Hazardous Recreational Activities

§4:114 Water Not Owned

D. Immunities Regarding Police and Correctional Facilities

§4:120 Failure to Provide Police Protection

§4:121 Failure to Provide a Jail Detention or Correctional Facility

§4:122 Interference With Judicial Decision

§4:123 Provision of Medical Care

§4:124 Parole and Escaped Prisoners

§4:125 Failure to Arrest or Releasing a Person in Custody

§4:126 Immunity for Transit Authorities

E. Fire Protection and Rescue Services

§4:130 Fire Department and Emergency Services

§4:131 Failure to Suppress or Contain Fire

§4:132 Condition of Equipment or Facilities and Acts or Omissions

§4:133 Damage to Roads or Bridges by Fire Fighting Equipment

§4:134 Emergency Calls

F. Medical, Hospital, and Public Health Activities

§4:140 Judicial Interference

§4:141 Communicable Diseases