Robinson v. Johnson Supplemental opinion upon denial of rehearing - filed March 25, 2004 - added to end of this opinion

PRESIDING JUSTICE QUINN

delivered the opinion of the court:

This matter is before us on a certified question pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308 (155 Ill. 2d R. 308). The certified question is whether a trial court has discretion pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 183 (134 Ill. 2d R. 183) to extend the six-month statutory period set forth in section 2 — 402 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 — 402 (West 1998) for converting respondents in discovery to defendants. We answer this question in the negative.

This appeal arises from the granting of two motions for extensions of time in a…