McQueeney v. Catholic Bishop of Chicago

Plaintiff states that the case was tried and decided on the charge that the absence of handrails was the proximate cause of her injuries. Defendant maintains that the handrail ordinance is not retroactive and does not apply to the premises of the defendant. The handrail ordinance upon which the plaintiff relies was adopted by the City Council on December 30, 1949. The church was constructed in 1896. The stairs on the 66th Street side thereof were constructed in the same year. There were no handrails on the steps at any time. The rule is well established that legislative acts operate in the…