Lewis E. v. Spagnolo
Illinois Supreme Court
710 N.E.2d 798 (1999)
- Written by Daniel Clark, JD
Facts
A group of children (plaintiffs) attending various public schools in East St. Louis School District 189 (district) filed a class-action lawsuit against the State of Illinois (state) (defendant). In their complaint, the students alleged that the district’s schools were unsafe, lacked qualified teachers, lacked adequate supplies, and generally were in abysmal physical condition. The students alleged that the circumstances of the district’s schools were so bad that the state was in violation of the state constitution by not taking more steps to intervene. Among the rulings the students sought from the court were orders compelling the state to submit and implement a plan to improve school quality in the district. The trial court dismissed the students’ claims with prejudice. The appellate court upheld the dismissal. However, the appellate court also held that the students could have alleged facts that would survive dismissal and granted them leave to amend their complaint. The state appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Bilandic, J.)
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