Department of Public Works & Buildings v. Dixon

The sole question here, preserved for review by appropriate obj ection in the trial court, is which party has the right to open and close arguments to the jury in an eminent domain proceeding following a “quick-take” by the Department of Public Works and Buildings under the provisions of the Eminent Domain Act. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1961, chap. 47, par. 1 et seq.) The Department appealed from a judgment on the verdict of $4500 for land taken and $12,000 for damage to land not taken. The Appellate Court, Fifth District, reversed on the ground that the trial court erred in granting defendants the…