Department of Transportation v. Drury Displays, Inc.

This case involves the extent of a taking in condemnation and the nature of compensation. The ultimate issue on appeal is whether the plaintiff, the Illinois Department of Transportation (the Department), an agency of the State, took the defendants’ outdoor advertising signs in addition to the defendants’ leasehold interests, to be used in a road construction project. The Department argues that it only condemned the defendants’ leasehold interests. The defendants argue that their signs were also taken. A St. Clair County jury awarded defendant Drury Displays, Inc. (Drury), damages of $80,730…