John Burns Construction Co. v. Indiana Insurance

The plaintiffs, John Burns Construction Company and Royal Insurance Company, brought the present actian in the circuit court of Cook County seeking a determination of coverage under an insurance policy issued by defendant Indiana Insurance Company. The trial judge ruled in favor of Indiana, and Burns and Royal appealed. The appellate court affirmed the circuit court. 299 Ill. App. 3d 169. We allowed Burns and Royal’s petition for leave to appeal (177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a)), and we now reverse the judgments of the courts below.

The procedural history of this case is uncomplicated and requires only…