Washington v. Illinois Power Co.

In November 1987, appellees Jacob and Lillie Washington sued appellant Illinois Power Company in the circuit court of Madison County for damages sustained as a result of the death of their 11-year-old son, Jacob Jr., whose death occurred in Bond County. Appellant moved to dismiss the action on forum non conveniens grounds or, alternatively, to transfer the action to Bond County. The motion was denied by the circuit court and the appellate court affirmed, with one justice dissenting (200 Ill. App. 3d 939). We allowed appellant’s petition for leave to appeal to this court (134 Ill. 2d R. 315).

Ap…