Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway Co. v. Crystal Lake Industrial Park, Inc.

This action was brought by plaintiff Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway to condemn approximately 42 acres of land. Following a jury trial, the defendant Crystal Lake Industrial Park, Inc., et al., was awarded $700,000 as just compensation for the taking of its property. Plaintiff appeals. We reverse and remand.

On May 10, 1990, plaintiff filed an amended complaint to acquire 41.625 acres on the Illinois River so that it could build an industrial harbor railroad port. The property includes a channel that accommodates barges of normal size, a lagoon, an area of some sand and gravel, adjacent…