Lanning v. Harris

Plaintiffs, Shane Lanning and Michelle Houston, sued defendants after they were injured in an automobile collision with defendant Andrew Harris, who was leading officers on a high-speed car chase. Plaintiffs alleged that defendant City of Ottawa (Ottawa) was negligent in its pursuit of Harris. Ottawa filed a motion to dismiss, claiming that plaintiffs failed to allege the officers’ conduct was willful and wanton as required by the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2 — 202 (West 2000)) (Tort Immunity Act or Act). The trial court denied the motion and,…