In re Marriage of Landfield

The petitioner, Joy Landfield, filed this action in the circuit court of Cook County in 1978 seeking a judgment of legal separation or in the alternative a judgment of dissolution of marriage. A hearing was held before Judge Henry Gentile in 1981, but Judge Gentile was murdered in his courtroom in connection with another domestic relations action before he was able to rule on this matter. A second hearing was held before Judge Daniel J. Ryan in 1984. Judge Ryan also died before rendering a decision in this case.

On October 10, 1986, respondent, George S. Land-field, filed a motion for a…