City of Chicago May Be Negligent for Placement of Cones in Work Zone: Passenger Injured When Bus Forced Too Close to Pillar

Cones directing traffic at the site where crews were painting pavement markings for a pedestrian crossing in Chicago forced a city bus to drive as far as possible to the right to avoid being hit by a passing truck. Mark Jefferson, a passenger on the bus, had his arm out the window. The arm was partially severed when the bus brushed a steel pillar. Jefferson sued the City of Chicago (City) for negligence in placing the cones, and the City filed for summary judgment. The Circuit Court of Cook County granted the summary judgment. On appeal, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, First Division, affirmed the trial court’s decision in part and reversed in part.