{ "id": 243891, "name": "JOSHUA A. HENRICH, by his Mother and Next Friend, Judith Henrich, Appellant, v. LIBERTYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL et al., Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Henrich v. Libertyville High School", "decision_date": "1998-12-03", "docket_number": "No. 84094", "first_page": "381", "last_page": "413", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "186 Ill. 2d 381" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "95 Ill. 2d 211", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3111336 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "220" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/95/0211-01" ] }, { "cite": "373 Ill. 228", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2528764 ], "year": 1940, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "234" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/373/0228-01" ] }, { "cite": "405 Ill. 122", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2626814 ], "year": 1950, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "128" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/405/0122-01" ] }, { "cite": "31 Ill. 2d 360", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2832542 ], "year": 1964, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "364-65" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/31/0360-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 Ill. 2d 121", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2937072 ], "year": 1973, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "128" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/55/0121-01" ] }, { "cite": "155 Ill. 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App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2587701 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "278" }, { "page": "278" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/202/0265-01" ] }, { "cite": "14 Ill. 2d 504", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2769176 ], "year": 1958, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "507-08" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/14/0504-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 Ill. 2d 572", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5390368 ], "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "578" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/51/0572-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 Ill. 2d 130", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5489573 ], "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "136" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/77/0130-01" ] }, { "cite": "178 Ill. 2d 399", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 385568 ], "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "413" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/178/0399-01" ] }, { "cite": "414 Ill. 600", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5314494 ], "year": 1953, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "621-22" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill/414/0600-01" ] }, { "cite": "136 Ill. 2d 260", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3254628 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "268-69" }, { "page": "269" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/136/0260-01" ] }, { "cite": "313 Ill. 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2434223 ], "year": 1924, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "324-25" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill/313/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "2 Ill. 2d 454", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 12129997 ], "year": 1954, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "466" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/2/0454-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Ill. 2d 282", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 57335 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "290" }, { "page": "289" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0282-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 Ill. 2d 210", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 780281 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "215" } ], "opinion_index": 5, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/158/0210-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Ill. 2d 378", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 57332 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "399", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., dissenting" } ], "opinion_index": 6, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0378-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1791, "char_count": 59248, "ocr_confidence": 0.809, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.074217087814518e-06, "percentile": 0.9848765314116769 }, "sha256": "8f00a9b0ad75f1eadb5485e2bfb4c92ea1a1981527504b66536ac0df85f4589c", "simhash": "1:960fd43376c156c2", "word_count": 9828 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:11:27.509523+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "JOSHUA A. HENRICH, by his Mother and Next Friend, Judith Henrich, Appellant, v. LIBERTYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL et al., Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "CHIEF JUSTICE FREEMAN\ndelivered the judgment of the court:\nSections 24 \u2014 24 and 34 \u2014 84a of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24, 34 \u2014 84a (West 1994)) immunize teachers and certain other educational employees from liability for injuries caused by their negligent supervision of school activities. To recover for such an injury, a plaintiff student must plead and prove that the teacher committed willful and wanton misconduct by such supervision. Kobylanski v. Chicago Board of Education, 63 Ill. 2d 165, 171-73 (1976). Those sections apply equally to public and private schools. See, e.g., Hilgendorf v. First Baptist Church, 157 Ill. App. 3d 428, 429 (1987).\nAlso, when properly raised, the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (Tort Immunity Act or Act) provides an extensive list of immunities to local governmental units, specifically including school districts. 745 ILCS 10/2 \u2014 106 (West 1994). Section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act immunizes a local public entity or a public employee from liability for an injury caused by a failure to supervise an activity on, or a failure to supervise the use of, any public property. 745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994). Section 3 \u2014 108(a) immunizes local public entities and employees from liability based on both ordinary negligence and willful and wanton misconduct. Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378, 391-92 (1996). The Tort Immunity Act does not apply to private schools. Cooney v. Society of Mt. Carmel, 75 Ill. 2d 430, 434 (1979).\nThe question presented for review is which statute\u2019s immunity controls in a case involving the failure to supervise public school activities: the immunity provided by the School Code, or the immunity provided by the Tort Immunity Act when properly raised? We hold that in such a case the immunity provided by the Tort Immunity Act controls.\nBACKGROUND\nThis cause is before us following a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2 \u2014 619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619(a)(9) (West 1994)). The motion admits all well-pled allegations in the complaint and reasonable inferences to be drawn from the facts. Fireman\u2019s Fund Insurance Co. v. SEC Donahue, Inc., 176 Ill. 2d 160, 161 (1997).\nThe complaint alleges as follows. On February 14, 1994, plaintiff, Joshua A. Henrich, underwent spine fusion surgery for a lower back medical condition. On September 2, 1994, plaintiffs surgeon advised plaintiff in a letter that he was permanently restricted from participating in \u201ccontact sports, such as wrestling and football in gym class at school.\u201d On or before January 25, 1995, defendant Libertyville High School District 128 (district) had received a copy of the letter and also had actual knowledge of plaintiffs lower back condition and the permanent restrictions on his activities in physical education class.\nOn February 2, 1995, plaintiff was a 17-year-old student at Libertyville High School. On that date, a substitute physical education instructor supervised the physical education class at the high school\u2019s pool area. The instructor required plaintiff to participate in a game of water basketball. The district knew or should have known that water basketball involved physical contact between the players. While participating in the water basketball game, plaintiff was severely and permanently injured.\nPlaintiff brought a personal injury action in the circuit court of Lake County against the district, the high school (collectively, the district), and Justin Burg, a fellow student. Count I of the three-count complaint alleged that the district required, allowed, or failed to prohibit plaintiff\u2019s participation in the water basketball game. The district so acted knowing that the game involved physical contact, knowing of plaintiffs medical condition, and knowing of the permanent medical restrictions on his activities due to his medical condition. Count I also alleged that the district allowed Burg to participate in the game knowing that Burg was a particularly rough player. Count I alleged that the district\u2019s acts constituted willful and wanton misconduct.\nCount II reiterated the above acts and additionally alleged that the district assigned a noncertified or inadequately trained substitute teacher to the physical education class, and failed to adequately supervise the class. Count II alleges that those acts constituted ordinary negligence.\nCount III is directed against Burg and alleges negligence. Burg subsequently brought a counterclaim against the district seeking contribution.\nThe district filed a combined motion to dismiss the complaint. See 735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619.1 (West 1994). The district sought the dismissal of count I on the ground that it failed to state a cause of action for willful and wanton misconduct. See 735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 615 (West 1994). The trial court denied this part of the motion.\nThe district also sought the dismissal of counts I and II on the ground that the district was immune from liability under the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/1\u2014 101 et seq. (West 1994)). See 735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619(a)(9) (West 1994). The district argued that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act immunized it from counts I and II. The district also argued that section 3 \u2014 109 of the Act additionally immunized it from the claims contained in count II. 745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a), 3 \u2014 109 (West 1994).\nIn separate orders, the circuit court dismissed counts I and II based on the Tort Immunity Act. In dismissing count I, the court expressly found that section 3 \u2014 108(a) immunized the district from count I. The court also dismissed Burg\u2019s counterclaim for contribution against the district. The court noted that count III, directed against Burg, remained pending. The court also found that its orders were final and appealable. See 155 Ill. 2d R. 304.\nOn appeal, plaintiff contested only the dismissal of count I, which alleged willful and wanton misconduct. The appellate court upheld the dismissal. 289 Ill. App. 3d 809. The court addressed the issue of which statutory immunity controlled the disposition of count I: section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994)), or section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994)). The appellate court concluded that the immunity provided by section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act was available to the district. Since that section immunizes willful and wanton misconduct, the appellate court upheld the dismissal of count I. 289 Ill. App. 3d at 817.\nWe allowed plaintiffs petition for leave to appeal (166 Ill. 2d R. 315). We subsequently granted the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association leave to file an amicus curiae brief in support of plaintiff; we also granted the Chicago Board of Education, the Illinois Association of School Boards, and the Illinois Association of School Administrators leave to file an amicus curiae brief in support of the district. 155 Ill. 2d R. 345. We now affirm the judgment of the appellate court.\nDISCUSSION\nSection 2 \u2014 619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure permits dismissal where \u201cthe claim asserted *** is barred by other affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of or defeating the claim.\u201d 735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619(a)(9) (West 1994). When ruling on a motion to dismiss, the trial court must interpret all pleadings and supporting documents in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. The court should grant the motion only if the plaintiff can prove no set of facts that would support a cause of action. On appeal, review is de novo. In re Chicago Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d 179, 189 (1997).\nThis controversy centers upon the interpretation of two immunity statutes. Plaintiff contends that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994)) controls the disposition of count I. According to plaintiff, since that section does not immunize willful and wanton misconduct, then count I stands. On the other hand, the district contends that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994)) controls the disposition of count I. According to the district, since that section immunizes willful and wanton misconduct, then count I was properly dismissed.\nTo resolve this issue, we must interpret these two statutes. The primary rule of interpreting statutes, to which all other rules are subordinate, is that a court should ascertain and give effect to the intent of the legislature. The court should seek the legislative intent primarily in the language of the statute. Also, the statute should be evaluated as a whole; the language within each section of a statute must be examined in light of the entire statute. Abrahamson v. Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, 153 Ill. 2d 76, 91 (1992). When this court has interpreted a statute, that interpretation is considered as part of the statute itself unless and until the legislature amends it contrary to the interpretation. Miller v. Lockett, 98 Ill. 2d 478, 483 (1983); see People v. Woodard, 175 Ill. 2d 435, 443-44 (1997).\nSection 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act provides in pertinent part that:\n\u201cneither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury caused by a failure to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/3\u2014108(a) (West 1994).\nFurther, a \u201c \u2018[ljocal public entity\u2019 includes a *** school district.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 206 (West 1994). Also, the Act must be raised and pled as an affirmative defense or else it is waived, even if the evidence supports the existence or appropriateness of the defense. Martin v. Chicago Housing Authority, 264 Ill. App. 3d 1063, 1075 (1994); First National Bank v. Village of Mundelein, 166 Ill. App. 3d 83, 90 (1988).\nThe plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) does not contain an exception for willful and wanton misconduct. Based on this plain language, this court has interpreted section 3 \u2014 108(a) to immunize willful and wanton misconduct. Barnett, 171 Ill. 2d at 391-92. We note that the School Code was not at issue in Barnett.\nIn this case, the district raised the affirmative defense of the Tort Immunity Act. The district contends that since it is a local public entity, then section 3 \u2014 108(a) applies to count I.\nAt the time this cause arose, section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code, which applies to cities with a population of less than 500,000, and section 34 \u2014 84a of the Code, which applies to cities with a population of greater than 500,000, provided in pertinent part that:\n\u201c[bleachers and other certificated educational employees shall maintain discipline in the schools, including school grounds which are owned or leased by the board and used for school purposes and activities. In all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the schools and the school children, they stand in the relation of parents and guardians to the pupils. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected with the school program, including all athletic and extracurricular programs, and may be exercised at any time for the safety and supervision of the pupils in the absence of their parents or guardians.\u201d 105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24, 34 \u2014 84a (West 1994).\nBy its plain language, section 24 \u2014 24 confers on educators the status of parent or guardian to their pupils. Therefore, this statute grants educators the immunity that parents enjoy (Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 170-73), and which school districts vicariously enjoy (Sidwell v. Griggsville Community Unit School District No. 4, 146 Ill. 2d 467, 472-73 (1992)).\nSection 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code confers on teachers in loco parentis status in all matters relating to the supervision of students in school activities. This court has interpreted section 24 \u2014 24 to immunize ordinary negligence, but not to immunize willful and wanton misconduct. Gerrity v. Beatty, 71 Ill. 2d 47, 50 (1978); Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 171-73. This interpretation is keyed to the rule that parents are not liable to their children for ordinary negligence, but are liable for willful and wanton misconduct. Thomas v. Chicago Board of Education, 77 Ill. 2d 165, 171 (1979); Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 170.\nWe note that this court has narrowed parental immunity to cover only ordinary negligence arising from conduct that is inherent to the parent-child relationship, i.e., conduct that concerns parental discretion in discipline, supervision, and care of the child. Absent such conduct, a child may recover from a parent for negligence. Cates v. Cates, 156 Ill. 2d 76, 104-05 (1993). As a result of Cates, the educator immunity provided by section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code is accordingly narrowed. See Cates, 156 Ill. 2d at 110-11 (Miller, C.J., dissenting); Stiff v. Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education, 279 Ill. App. 3d 1076, 1080-81 (1996).\nPlaintiff contends that since this cause arose from the supervision of students in a school physical education program, then section 24 \u2014 24 applies to count I.\nThis court has noted that the immunity provided by section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code did not derive from the immunity provided by the Tort Immunity Act. Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 174. This has indicated to the appellate court that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code and section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act are to be interpreted as two independent statutes. Lewis v. Jasper County Community Unit School District No. 1, 258 Ill. App. 3d 419, 421 (1994); Bowers v. Du Page County Regional Board of School Trustees District No. 4, 183 Ill. App. 3d 367, 377 (1989). We agree and so hold.\nIt appears from this examination of section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act and section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code that both immunities apply to count I. Not only must we accept as true the allegations of willful and wanton misconduct contained in count I, but also the circuit court found that count I stated a cause of action. Accordingly, under section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, count I cannot stand. However, under section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code, count I stands. Thus, the two statutes appear to conflict in this case.\nPlaintiff argues that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code controls the disposition of count I because it is more specific than section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act. It is a well-settled rule of statutory construction that \u201c \u2018[wjhere there are two statutory provisions, one of which is general and designed to apply to cases generally, and the other is particular and relates to only one subject, the particular provision must prevail.\u2019 \u201d Hernon v. E.W. Corrigan Construction Co., 149 Ill. 2d 190, 195 (1992), quoting Bowes v. City of Chicago, 3 Ill. 2d 175, 205 (1954). A policy expressed in the specific statutory provision should prevail over general statutory statements. Sierra Club v. Kenney, 88 Ill. 2d 110, 126 (1981).\nThe appellate court in this case acknowledged that both section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code and section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act applied to count I. 289 Ill. App. 3d at 814-15. The court concluded that section 3 \u2014 108(a) controlled the disposition of count I. The appellate court described the immunity that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code provides as not arising directly from the statute. Rather, according to the appellate court, \u201cwhatever immunity section 24 \u2014 24 provides arises indirectly from the in loco parentis relationship of teachers and other educational employees with students.\u201d Further, the court noted that \u201cany immunity provided to a school district by section 24 \u2014 24 is vicarious in that it is derived from the immunity provided to teachers and other educational employees.\u201d In contrast, the appellate court described the immunity provided by section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, read with section 1 \u2014 206 of the Act, as \u201cmuch more direct and specific than section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code.\u201d 289 Ill. App. 3d at 815.\nWe need not decide whether section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act is more specific than section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code. Rather, we can ascertain the legislative intent from the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) and can give it effect without resorting to other aids for construction. See Illinois Power Co. v. Mahin, 72 Ill. 2d 189, 194 (1978), quoting Western National Bank v. Village of Kildeer, 19 Ill. 2d 342, 350 (1960). Where the language of a statute is unambiguous, the only legitimate function of the courts is to enforce the law as enacted by the legislature. Certain Taxpayers v. Sheahen, 45 Ill. 2d 75, 84 (1970). There is no rule of construction which authorizes a court to declare that the legislature did not mean what the plain language of the statute says. Illinois Power Co., 72 Ill. 2d at 194, quoting Western National Bank, 19 Ill. 2d at 350.\nIn the present case, the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act immunizes a local public entity\u2019s failure to supervise an activity on or the use of public property (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994)), and a \u201clocal public entity\u201d expressly includes a school district (745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 206 (West 1994)). The legislature could not have made its intent any plainer.\nWe reach our conclusion that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act controls the disposition of count I also by comparing the plain language of that section with section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code. A court presumes that two or more statutes which relate to one subject are governed by one spirit and policy, and that the legislature intended the statutes to be operative and harmonious. Therefore, statutes relating to the same subject must be compared and so construed with reference to each other that effect may be given to all of the provisions of each, if it can fairly and reasonably be done. Ashton v. County of Cook, 384 Ill. 287, 298 (1943).\nWe note that the Seventy-fourth General Assembly enacted section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code (1965 Ill. Laws 1459 (passed June 28, 1965)) and the Tort Immunity Act (1965 Ill. Laws 2982 (passed June 30, 1965)) only two days apart. Statutes that relate to the same subject matter, passed at the same session of the General Assembly, should be interpreted with reference to each other. A court should not consider such statutes inconsistent if it is possible to interpret them otherwise. People ex rel. Vaughan v. Thompson, 377 Ill. 244, 249 (1941).\nIn the present case, section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act and section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code each stands in its own sphere. Section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code applies equally to public and private schools. See Hilgendorf, 157 Ill. App. 3d at 429; Cotton v. Catholic Bishop, 39 Ill. App. 3d 1062 (1976); Merrill v. Catholic Bishop, 8 Ill. App. 3d 910 (1972). In contrast, the Tort Immunity Act does not apply to private schools, but only to public schools. Cooney, 75 Ill. 2d at 434. Although \u201cpublic and private schools may sometimes be classified together in light of the similarity of their functions and activities *** it does not follow that the legislature is required to adopt that classification in the *** Tort Immunity Act.\u201d Cooney, 75 Ill. 2d at 435. By the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, the legislature has chosen to grant public school teachers and public school districts greater immunity than private school teachers and private schools.\nBy giving effect to the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, we effectuate the purposes of both section 3 \u2014 108(a) and section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code. The Act itself states that its purpose is \u201cto protect local public entities and public employees from liability arising from the operation of government.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 101.1 (West 1994); accord Bubb v. Springfield School District 186, 167 Ill. 2d 372, 378 (1995) (\u201cBy providing immunity, the legislature sought to prevent the diversion of public funds from their intended purpose to the payment of damage claims\u201d).\nSections 24 \u2014 24 and 34 \u2014 84a of the School Code reflect the basic policy \u201cthat teachers, standing in loco parentis, should not be subjected to any greater liability than parents, who are liable to their children for willful and wanton misconduct.\u201d Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 173. This court has explained that those sections:\n\u201creflect a legislative determination that the orderly conduct of the schools and the maintenance of a sound learning atmosphere require that there be a personal relationship between teacher and student in which the teacher has disciplinary and supervisory authority similar to that which exists between parent and child. It is evident that this relationship would be seriously jeopardized if teachers and school districts were amenable to ordinary negligence actions for accidents occurring in the course of the exercise of such authority.\u201d Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 51.\nThus, \u201c[i]n the interest of student-teacher harmony, litigation between them should not be encouraged \u2014 absent wilful and wanton conduct.\u201d Thomas, 77 Ill. 2d at 171; accord Albers v. Community Consolidated No. 204 School, 155 Ill. App. 3d 1083, 1085 (1987); see, e.g., Stiff, 279 Ill. App. 3d at 1080-81.\nOur interpretation of section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act is consistent with the purpose of either statute. True, the immunities that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act and section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code provide serve different purposes. However, both statutes discourage tort claims and, by the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a), the legislature has chosen to discourage such claims against public school teachers and school districts more broadly. We conclude that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act controls the disposition of count I.\nAccording to plaintiff, holding that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act controls the disposition of count I is absurd and unjust. To him, we are effectively holding that while parents are required to send their children to school, public school teachers have no tort duty of care for their pupils and parents have no recourse for any injuries to their children, even injuries caused by willful and wanton misconduct. A court presumes that the General Assembly, in enacting legislation, did not intend absurdity or injustice. Hernon, 149 Ill. 2d at 195; Halberstadt v. Harris Trust & Savings Bank, 55 Ill. 2d 121, 128 (1973).\nHowever, to hold that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code controlled the disposition of count I would effectively delete the explicit language in section 1 \u2014 206 of the Tort Immunity Act that applies section 3 \u2014 108(a) to school districts. In interpreting a statute, a court should, if possible, give significance and effect to every word without destroying the sense or effect of the law. The court should interpret the statute, if possible, so that no word is rendered meaningless or superfluous. People ex rel. Barrett v. Barrett, 31 Ill. 2d 360, 364-65 (1964).\nCONCLUSION\nIt is the province of the legislature to enact laws; it is the province of the courts to construe them. Courts have no legislative powers; courts may not enact or amend statutes. A court cannot restrict or enlarge the meaning of an unambiguous statute. The responsibility for the justice or wisdom of legislation rests upon the legislature. People ex rel. Roan v. Wilson, 405 Ill. 122, 128 (1950); People ex rel. Nelson Brothers Storage & Furniture Co. v. Fisher, 373 Ill. 228, 234 (1940). A court must interpret and apply statutes in the manner in which they are written. A court must not rewrite statutes to make them consistent with the court\u2019s idea of orderliness and public policy. Kozak v. Retirement Board of the Firemen\u2019s Annuity & Benefit Fund, 95 Ill. 2d 211, 220 (1983).\nWe hold that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act controls the disposition of count I. Since count I states a cause of action for willful and wanton misconduct, and since section 3 \u2014 108 immunizes willful and wanton misconduct, then count I cannot stand.\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the appellate court is affirmed.\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "CHIEF JUSTICE FREEMAN" }, { "text": "JUSTICE HEIPLE,\nspecially concurring:\nI concur with the majority\u2019s conclusion that section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994)) and section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994)) do not conflict. However, the majority\u2019s rationale is wrong.\nThe two provisions at issue in this case both grant immunity to a defendant where a plaintiff alleges ordinary negligence. However, whereas section 24 \u2014 24 of the Code grants immunity for ordinary negligence only, section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act grants immunity for both ordinary negligence and willful and wanton conduct. Thus, where ordinary negligence is alleged, either the Code or the Act may be raised as an affirmative defense, and the two provisions do not conflict. Rather, they simply complement each other.\nWhere a plaintiff alleges willful and wanton conduct, however, section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act is alone available as an affirmative defense. That is because section 24 \u2014 24 of the Code does not immunize willful and wanton conduct. On the other hand, neither does it create liability for willful and wanton conduct. It simply has no application in that situation. That is to say, section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Act does not conflict with section 24 \u2014 24 of the Code; the Act merely grants a greater immunity than the Code. Consequently, the Act controls the disposition in the case at hand. Thus, I concur with the judgment of the court but not its opinion.", "type": "concurrence", "author": "JUSTICE HEIPLE," }, { "text": "JUSTICE HARRISON,\ndissenting:\nI agree that section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108(a) (West 1994)) contains no exception for willful and wanton misconduct. In my view, however, the majority\u2019s discussion of the relationship between section 3 \u2014 108(a) and section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994)) is fundamentally flawed. Section 24 \u2014 24 is the controlling provision in this case, not section 3 \u2014 108(a), and under section 24 \u2014 24, count I of plaintiffs complaint asserts a viable claim against the school district for willful and wanton misconduct.\nIn count I plaintiff seeks to hold the school district vicariously liable for the conduct of one of its employees. Where, as here, a school district\u2019s liability is vicarious rather than direct, the district is subject to the immunity rules established pursuant to section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code if the employee is also subject to those rules. See Sidwell v. Griggsville Community Unit School District No. 4, 146 Ill. 2d 467, 473 (1992). Not every school employee, however, falls within the ambit of the statute. By its terms, section 24 \u2014 24 applies only to \u201cteachers and other certificated educational employees.\u201d 105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994).\nIn the case before us today, plaintiffs complaint alleges that the school employee whose conduct is at issue was an agent or employee of the school district, but \u201cnot a teacher or certified educational employee.\u201d If that were true, disposition of this case woiild be straightforward. Where an employee is not a teacher or other certified educational employee, section 24 \u2014 24 is inapplicable. Accordingly, the statute could not be invoked vicariously with respect to the school district. The question of immunity would be governed instead by the Tort Immunity Act. See, e.g., Montag v. Board of Education, School District No. 40, 112 Ill. App. 3d 1039, 1043 (1983) (non-certified school employees subject to section 3 \u2014 108 of the Tort Immunity Act rather than section 24 \u2014 24); Jackson v. Chicago Board of Education, 192 Ill. App. 3d 1093, 1099 (1989) (employee who was not a teacher performing the function of classroom instruction was protected by provisions of Tort Immunity Act, not section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code). Under section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, the district would plainly be immune under count I of plaintiffs complaint.\nThe reason this case is more difficult is that plaintiffs characterization of the employee has proven to be inaccurate. Contrary to plaintiffs allegations, the school employee whose conduct is at issue here was indeed a \u201cteacher[ ]\u201d or \u201cother certificated educational employee[ ]\u201d within the meaning of section 24 \u2014 24. 105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994). In support of their motion to dismiss under section 2 \u2014 619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619(a)(9) (West 1994)), defendants submitted affidavits from the school employee and the school superintendent specifically stating that the employee was \u201ca certificated teacher with the State of Illinois\u201d under a current and valid high school teaching certificate issued by the State Teacher Certification Board. A copy of the employee\u2019s actual teaching certificate was attached to the employee\u2019s affidavit and confirmed his status.\nBecause the employee fell within the category of employees governed by section 24 \u2014 24, that statute, as well as section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act, was applicable to the allegations contained in count I of plaintiffs complaint. To understand the relationship between these two provisions, it is important to understand the scope of section 24 \u2014 24.\nSection 24 \u2014 24 confers immunity on teachers and other certificated educational employees for \u201cmatters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the schools and the school children.\u201d 105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994). Unlike section 3 \u2014 108(a), however, section 24 \u2014 24\u2019s immunity extends only to ordinary negligence. The statute does not confer immunity for willful and wanton misconduct. O\u2019Brien v. Township High School District 214, 83 Ill. 2d 462, 467 (1980). Accordingly, our court has long interpreted the statute to mean that a public school student may bring an action to recover damages for injuries he sustained as a result of conduct by teachers or coaches who exhibited a reckless disregard for his welfare. O\u2019Brien, 83 Ill. 2d at 469; Kobylanski v. Chicago Board of Education, 63 Ill. 2d 165, 173 (1976); see Palmer v. Mt. Vernon Township High School District 201, 169 Ill. 2d 551, 562 (1996).\nToday the majority has taken an altogether different view. Under its new approach, the student\u2019s action would be barred by section 3 \u2014 108(a) of the Tort Immunity Act even if it would otherwise be proper under section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code. My colleagues believe this view is compelled by the plain language of section 3 \u2014 108(a) \u201cwithout resorting to other aids for construction.\u201d 186 Ill. 2d at 391. The flaw in their analysis is that we are not dealing with section 3 \u2014 108(a) alone. We have two separate statutes here, and if both apply by their terms, the \u201cplain language\u201d rule settles nothing.\nIn attempting to reconcile section 3 \u2014 108(a) with section 24 \u2014 24, we must be guided by the principle that, whenever possible, a court must construe statutes which are in conflict or which appear repugnant so as to give effect to both. See People ex rel. Moore v. Chicago, Burl ington & Quincy R.R. Co., 414 Ill. 419, 425 (1953). The majority\u2019s analysis violates this rule. Under my colleagues\u2019 approach, section 24 \u2014 24 has been reduced to a nullity. For all practical purposes, it will no longer serve any function.\nThe majority tries to save section 24 \u2014 24 by asserting that it will continue to apply to private schools. This argument has no basis in the law and no support in the precedent of our court. Except in specific and limited circumstances not present here, the School Code is, by its terms, limited in application to public schools. Similarly, the provisions of section 24 \u2014 24 govern only conduct of teachers and other educational employees who are certified by the state. The state certification requirements do not apply to private schools.\nPrivate schools may, of course, voluntarily adopt the standards imposed by the School Code. In addition, the School Code may provide an appropriate model for formulating common law standards of care owed by teachers and other personnel employed by private schools. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the usefulness of the School Code in making that type of policy determination is independent of the law\u2019s actual purpose, meaning and effect. With respect to private schools, the School Code has absolutely no legal force except in narrowly delineated, incidental and indirect ways. See, e.g., Chady v. Solomon Schechter Day Schools, 269 Ill. App. 3d 31, 35 (1995) (because plaintiff\u2019s employer was a private school, the School Code did not apply to give her any statutory rights to employment). As a result, when the majority suggests that section 24 \u2014 24 was intended by the legislature to apply to private schools but not to public schools, they have gotten things completely backwards.\nContrary to what my colleagues may believe, section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code can be reconciled with section 3 \u2014 108 of the Tort Immunity Act, and it can be reconciled in a very straightforward way. Where there are two statutory provisions relating to the same subject, either in the same act or in separate acts, the specific provision controls and should be applied. People v. Villarreal, 152 Ill. 2d 368, 379 (1992). Section 24 \u2014 24 is plainly more specific in its application than section 3 \u2014 108. Section 3 \u2014 108 pertains generally to the liability of public entities or public employees for failure to supervise an activity on or the use of public property. Section 24 \u2014 24 of the School Code, by contrast, applies to a narrowly defined group of public employees, \u201cteachers and other certificated educational employees,\u201d in a narrowly defined context, namely, when they are engaged in \u201cactivities connected with the school program, including all athletic and extracurricular programs.\u201d 105 ILCS 5/24 \u2014 24 (West 1994). Accordingly, where, as here, section 24 \u2014 24 applies, it controls over section 3 \u2014 108(a) and permits a claim for willful and wanton misconduct.\nThere is nothing the slightest bit novel or controversial about this conclusion. As my previous discussion has indicated, our court has long recognized the viability of damage actions against school districts based on the willful and wanton misconduct of teachers and other certified educational employees. I cannot fathom why my colleagues have suddenly decided to disavow that precedent and leave the children of this state completely unprotected from even the most reckless and irresponsible conduct of those charged with their care at school. Perhaps it is simply another example of the majority\u2019s utter disregard for children. See, e.g., Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378 (1996); Mt. Zion State Bank & Trust v. Consolidated Communications, Inc., 169 Ill. 2d 110 (1995). In any case, it is an outrage.\nMy colleagues cannot escape responsibility for their actions by placing blame on the legislature. The legislature is presumed to know our prior construction of the law, and although section 24 \u2014 24 has been amended repeatedly, the legislature has made no changes that would alter our view that willful and wanton misconduct is actionable. Under these circumstances, we must assume that the legislature intended the law to have the meaning we previously ascribed to it. Cripe v. Leiter, 184 Ill. 2d 185, 197-98 (1998); People v. Agnew, 105 Ill. 2d 275, 280 (1985). Accordingly, it is not the legislature that will be to blame for the awful consequences of today\u2019s decision. It is the members of this court.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE HARRISON," }, { "text": "JUSTICE NICKELS\njoins in this dissent.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE NICKELS" }, { "text": "JUSTICE McMORROW,\nalso dissenting:\nI disagree with and reject the first sentence in Justice Harrison\u2019s dissenting opinion in this case. In all other respects, I agree with and join in that opinion. I further dissent, as follows.\nThe majority has voted to affirm dismissal of plaintiffs claim grounded in willful and wanton misconduct, despite the fact that this result immunizes public schools from civil liability for even deliberate injuries to students. See 745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 210 (West 1996). I find this result untenable.\nThe majority opinion unfortunately perpetuates and extends erroneous interpretations of section 3 \u2014 108 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act previously published by the court. In Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378 (1996), this court ruled that section 3 \u2014 108 blanketed the Zion Park District with immunity, despite allegations by the plaintiff that lifeguards at a Zion Park District swimming pool knowingly and willfully disregarded pleas to help the plaintiffs drowning decedent, thereby causing the decedent\u2019s death. I dissented in Barnett (Barnett, 171 Ill. 2d at 399 (McMorrow, J., dissenting)), and attempted to demonstrate the fallacy of the majority\u2019s conclusions. I argued, inter alia, that the absence of an explicit exemption in section 3 \u2014 108 for willful and wanton conduct does not lead ineluctably to the conclusion that the legislature meant to include willful and wanton behavior within the scope of immunized conduct. I noted as well that reasons sustaining governmental immunity for simple negligence do not necessarily apply to willful and wanton conduct, and therefore a legislative purpose to extend immunity to willful and wanton conduct demands an express statement of that intent. I observed that the majority\u2019s expansive reading of section 3 \u2014 108 defied our constitutional duty (Ill. Const. 1970, art. XIII, \u00a7 4) to find only those immunities expressly granted by statute and to assume that any immunity not specifically enacted did not exist.\nMy conviction that this court reads a willful and wanton exception into an enactment where none exists remains as strong today as when I stated it in Barnett, and later stated it in In re Chicago Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d 179, 213 (1997) (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part), and Harinek v. 161 North Clark Street Ltd. Partnership, 181 Ill. 2d 335, 354 (1998) (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). For the reasons stated in those separate opinions, I would reverse the decisions of the circuit and appellate courts in the case at bar and reinstate count I of plaintiffs complaint.\nSUPPLEMENTAL OPINION UPON DENIAL OF REHEARING\nCHIEF JUSTICE FREEMAN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nIn his petition for rehearing, plaintiff notes that the General Assembly has recently exercised its legislative responsibility in this area. The legislature rewrote section 3 \u2014 108; it now reads as follows:\n\u201c\u00a7 3 \u2014 108. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, neither a local public entity nor a public employee who undertakes to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property is liable for an injury unless the local public entity or public employee is guilty of willful and wanton conduct in its supervision proximately causing such injury.\n(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury caused by a failure to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property unless the employee or the local public entity has a duty to provide supervision imposed by common law, statute, ordinance, code or regulation and the local public entity or public employee is guilty of willful and wanton conduct in its failure to provide supervision proximately causing such injury.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Pub. Act 90 \u2014 805, \u00a7 5, eff. December 2, 1998 (amending 745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108 (West 1994)).\nThe amended section 3 \u2014 108 expressly allows claims of willful and wanton misconduct against local public entities and employees such as contained in count I of plaintiffs complaint. Plaintiff notes that the new section 3 \u2014 108 took effect on December 2, 1998, and that this court issued its original judgment the next day, December 3. Plaintiff contends that the new version of section 3 \u2014 108 applies to his case. He asks us to reverse the dismissal of count I and to remand this cause to the circuit court for further proceedings relating thereto. We cannot accept plaintiffs contention, and we decline to reverse the dismissal of count I.\nPlaintiff argues that the legislative debates surrounding the amended section 3 \u2014 108, coupled with the fact of its enactment, demonstrate that the legislature never intended to immunize willful and wanton misconduct. Thus, according to plaintiff, since the unamended section 3 \u2014 108 never immunized willful and wanton misconduct, then plaintiff should be allowed to pursue count I. We disagree. Illinois courts ascertained the legislative intent of the unamended section 3 \u2014 108 from its plain language. Barnett, 171 Ill. 2d at 391-92; Payne v. Lake Forest Community High School District 115, 268 Ill. App. 3d 783, 785-87 (1994). That intent must prevail and be given effect without resort to other interpretive aids. See Envirite Corp. v. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 158 Ill. 2d 210, 216-17 (1994).\nWe conclude that the amended section 3 \u2014 108 does not apply to count I also because the school district in this case has a vested right to the total immunity provided by the unamended section 3 \u2014 108. It is settled that where the legislature changes the law pending an appeal, \u201ca reviewing court should simply apply the law as it exists at the time of the appeal, unless doing so would interfere with a vested right.\u201d (Emphasis added.) First of America Trust Co. v. Armstead, 171 Ill. 2d 282, 290 (1996). \u201cAlthough not capable of precise definition, a vested right is a complete and unconditional demand or exemption that may be equated with a property interest.\u201d First of America Trust, 171 Ill. 2d at 291. The due process clause of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a7 2) protects such vested rights from legislative interference. First of America Trust, 171 Ill. 2d at 289. Further, the property rights of local public entities \u201care protected by the same constitutional guaranties which shield the property of individuals from legislative aggression.\u201d Board of Education of Normal School District v. Blodgett, 155 Ill. 441, 450 (1895).\nThis court has agreed with the view that \u201c \u2018an exemption from a demand or an immunity from prosecution in a suit is as valuable to the one party as the right to the demand or to prosecute the suit is to the other.\u2019 \u201d Blodgett, 155 Ill. at 449, quoting Campbell v. Holt, 115 U.S. 620, 630, 29 L. Ed. 483, 487, 6 S. Ct. 209, 214 (1885) (Bradley, J., dissenting, joined by Harlan, J.). Thus, it has long been recognized that \u201c[a] vested ground of defense is as fully protected from being cut off or destroyed by an act of the legislature as is a vested cause of action.\u201d 16A C.J.S. Constitutional Law \u00a7 260(b), at 91 (1984); accord 6 R.C.L. Constitutional Law \u00a7 306, at 319 (1915); see, e.g., Massa v. Nastri, 125 Conn. 144, 148-49, 3 A.2d 839, 841 (1939) (amended statute cannot retroactively impose on defendant liability for simple negligence when, under former statute, defendant was liable only for willful and wanton misconduct). Put simply, the legislature lacks the power to reach back and breathe life into a previously barred claim. See Sepmeyer v. Holman, 162 Ill. 2d 249, 254 (1994); Wilson v. All-Steel, Inc., 87 Ill. 2d 28, 40-41 (1981).\nWhen this cause of action arose, the school district\u2019s immunity under the unamended section 3 \u2014 108 was \u201cunconditional,\u201d and \u201c \u2018immediate, fixed and determinate\u2019 \u201d (see First of America Trust, 171 Ill. 2d at 291, quoting City of Chicago v. Collin, 302 Ill. 270, 275 (1922)); it did not depend on the entry of a judgment. Thus, the school district\u2019s right to the total immunity provided by the unamended section 3 \u2014 108 vested when the cause of action accrued. See Harraz v. Snyder, 283 Ill. App. 3d 254, 263 (1996); Zielnik v. Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 265, 174 Ill. App. 3d 409, 411 (1988); Massa, 125 Conn. at 148-49, 3 A.2d at 841. The amended section 3 \u2014 108 cannot reach back and take that vested right away, impose a new duty on the school district, and breathe life into this previously barred claim.\nWe note that none of the cases cited by Justice Harrison in his supplemental dissent involves a local public entity as a tort defendant. It is true that a school district, in its capacity as a political subdivision of the state, has no due process rights. People ex rel. Dixon v. Community Unit School District No. 3, 2 Ill. 2d 454, 465-66 (1954); People ex rel. Taylor v. Camargo Community Consolidated School District No. 158, 313 Ill. 321, 324-25 (1924). However, the Tort Immunity Act places a school district, when in the role of a tort defendant, in a different position. Section 1 \u2014 101.1(b) of the Tort Immunity Act provides that \u201c[a]ny defense or immunity, common law or statutory, available to any private person shall likewise be available to local public entities and public employees.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 101.1(b) (West 1994). In this case, since a private defendant has a vested right to the defense of an immunity, then so does the school district in its position as a private defendant.\nDISSENTING OPINIONS UPON DENIAL OF REHEARING", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE McMORROW, CHIEF JUSTICE FREEMAN" }, { "text": "JUSTICE HARRISON,\ndissenting:\nThe day before the court issued its original judgment, new legislation took effect which amended the Tort Immunity Act to eliminate the problem created by the judgments of the circuit and appellate courts in this case. Under the new version of the law, the Tort Immunity Act cannot be invoked by public entities to avoid liability for willful and wanton conduct in supervising activities on public property. Accordingly, even if my colleagues were correct that count I of plaintiffs complaint is subject to the Tort Immunity Act rather than the School Code, that count is no longer subject to dismissal on grounds of statutory immunity. We should therefore grant the petition for rehearing, reverse the judgment of the appellate court, and remand the cause to the circuit court for further proceedings.\nThe majority\u2019s refusal to apply the new version of the law to the present case is wholly improper. Our court has repeatedly held that where the legislature changes the law pending an appeal, the case must be disposed of by the reviewing court under the law as it then exists, not as it was when the judgment was entered in the lower court. Envirite Corp. v. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 158 Ill. 2d 210, 215 (1994); Bates v. Board of Education, Allendale Community Consolidated School District No. 17, 136 Ill. 2d 260, 268-69 (1990).\nAlthough an exception to this rule exists where application of the change in the law would affect a vested right (First of America Trust Co. v. Armstead, 171 Ill. 2d 282, 290 (1996)), that exception is inapplicable here. It is inapplicable because it is founded on the due process clause of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a7 2) (see First of America Trust Co., 171 Ill. 2d at 289), and political subdivisions of the state, including school districts, have no due process rights.\nThe reason that political subdivisions of the state cannot claim due process protection against action by the General Assembly is legislative supremacy. That doctrine holds that because counties, cities, school districts and other local governmental entities are created by authority of the legislature, their rights and powers may be enlarged, diminished, modified or revoked by the legislature at any time at its pleasure. Under the doctrine, the state may apportion the common property and common burdens of such entities however it wishes, with or without notice, regardless of whether the inhabitants approve, and without any need to pay just compensation. People ex rel. Gutknecht v. City of Chicago, 414 Ill. 600, 621-22 (1953). Properly speaking, these entities have no property of their own. In fact and in law, their property is the property of the state and subject to legislative will. That being so, the entities have no property rights of which they may be deprived in violation of the due process clause of our constitution. People ex rel. Dixon v. Community Unit School District No. 3, 2 Ill. 2d 454, 466 (1954).\nThere is nothing novel about these principles. Had my colleagues checked the law after 1895, they would have discovered that the doctrine of legislative supremacy is well established and has been frequently applied by our court. Only two years ago, in East St. Louis Federation of Teachers, Local 1220 v. East St. Louis School District No. 189 Financial Oversight Panel, 178 Ill. 2d 399, 413 (1997), we specifically held that because school boards are \u201cmunicipal corporations\u201d created by the legislature and wholly within the legislature\u2019s control, they cannot assert due process claims against legislation enacted by the General Assembly. This holding followed an established line of cases from our court (see, e.g., Village of Riverwoods v. Department of Transportation, 77 Ill. 2d 130, 136 (1979); Meador v. City of Salem, 51 Ill. 2d 572, 578 (1972); Supervisors of the County of Boone v. Village of Rainbow Gardens, 14 Ill. 2d 504, 507-08 (1958); People ex rel. Taylor v. Camargo Community Consolidated School District No. 158, 313 Ill. 321, 324-25 (1924)) and from the appellate court (see, e.g., City of Evanston v. Regional Transportation Authority, 202 Ill. App. 3d 265, 278 (1990); Franciscan Hospital v. Town of Canoe Creek, 79 Ill. App. 3d 490, 496-97 (1979); People v. Valentine, 50 Ill. App. 3d 447, 452-53 (1977)).\nThe majority\u2019s analysis is also infirm because it overlooks the language and purpose of the due process clause. That provision applies, by its terms to \u201cpersons\u201d and was intended to protect the property of individuals and corporations. Governmental entities do not constitute such \u201cpersons\u201d (see Franciscan Hospital, 79 Ill. App. 3d at 496-97), and due process guarantees do not extend to the sovereign or subsidiaries of the sovereign (see City of Evanston, 202 Ill. App. 3d at 278). See also Cronin v. Lindberg, 66 Ill. 2d 47, 55-56 (1976) (school board and superintendent had no right to raise due process challenge to statutory amendment because \u201c[d]ue process guarantees, in the ordinary sense, do not extend to them\u201d); Village of Schaumburg v. Doyle, 277 Ill. App. 3d 832, 836 (1996) (municipalities cannot assert due process claims). Accordingly, there is no constitutional impediment to application of the amended version of the Tort Immunity Act here.\nContrary to my colleagues\u2019 assertion, section 1 \u2014 101.1(b) of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 1 \u2014 101.1(b) (West 1994)) does not alter this conclusion. That provision is inapposite. The statute refers to private individuals as a way to define the range of defenses available to a local public entity. Its point is simply to make clear that if a defense is available to a private person, it is available to a governmental entity as well. For example, when comparative negligence was adopted as a defense in Illinois, this section served as authority for the proposition that the defense could be invoked by municipalities just as it could be used by any other tort defendant. Wagner v. City of Chicago, 166 Ill. 2d 144, 152 (1995).\nIn the matter before us here, defining the scope of the applicable immunity is not at issue. Under the majority\u2019s disposition, the immunity rules have been set out by the legislature in section 3 \u2014 108. The real question in this case is which version of section 3 \u2014 108 should apply. That is an issue which section 1 \u2014 101.1(b) does not address and was not intended to address.\nTo say that a local governmental entity may avail itself of the same defenses available to a private individual, as section 1 \u2014 101.1(b) does, is not the same as saying that a local governmental entity is a private individual, or is equivalent to a private individual for any other purposes. The Tort Immunity Act merely grants immunities and defenses. It is not a source of rights. Vesey v. Chicago Housing Authority, 145 Ill. 2d 404, 412-13 (1991); 745 ILCS 10/1 \u2014 101.1(a) (West 1994). Moreover, because it is in derogation of the common law, it must be strictly construed against the public entity involved. Zimmerman v. Village of Skokie, 183 Ill. 2d 30, 44 (1998). Accordingly, it cannot be interpreted as bestowing on public entities due process or any other constitutional protections. Local governmental entities can assert defenses where authorized by law, but where the legislature sees fit to change the law and eliminate an immunity, as it has done here, the governmental entities have no basis under the due process clause of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 to complain.\nEven if we could ignore the language and purpose of the due process clause and revoke the legislative supremacy doctrine, the majority\u2019s analysis would still be untenable. My colleagues\u2019 \u201cvested right\u201d analysis presumes that before the recent statutory amendment, school districts were, in fact, immune from liability arising from willful and wanton conduct. As I pointed out in my original dissent, however, such was not the case. Prior to this litigation, the law was well established that a public school student could bring an action to recover damages for injuries he sustained as a result of teachers or coaches who exhibited a reckless disregard for his welfare. It was not until our original judgment here that this court determined that school districts could invoke the Tort Immunity Act to avoid liability in such cases. By that time, however, the Tort Immunity Act had already been amended to provide that public entities are not, in fact, immune from liability for willful and wanton conduct in supervision of activities on public property. As a result, there was never a time when the defendant school district could claim a settled expectation that it would be immune from liability arising from circumstances such as those present here.\nAlthough the circuit and appellate courts had ruled in favor of the defendant school district before the amended version of the Tort Immunity Act took effect, that is of no consequence. Contrary to the majority\u2019s unsupported assertion, the school district\u2019s right to invoke immunity under the old law did not vest when the circuit court dismissed count I of the complaint. Under this court\u2019s precedent, the district could only claim a vested right after final judgment was entered. At the time the amended law took effect in this case, there was no final adjudication because the cause remained on appeal. The new law should therefore apply. Bates v. Board of Education, 136 Ill. 2d at 269.\nGiven the absence of a final adjudication, the majority\u2019s claim that the legislature was attempting to breathe life into a previously barred claim is nonsensical. Nor can my colleagues legitimately object to application of the new legislation on separation of powers principles. Unlike In re Marriage of Cohn, 93 Ill. 2d 190, 202-07 (1982), there has been no showing that the legislature acted as it did with the express intention of overruling the appellate court\u2019s decision in this case. Moreover, unlike In re Petition of Kirchner, 164 Ill. 2d 468, 496-98 (1995), the case does not present a situation where the legislature was attempting to alter the rights of parties after this court had finally adjudicated those rights. As previously noted, the change in the law here came before our decision, not afterwards.\nAside from the technical flaws in the majority\u2019s disposition, it is unworthy of support for one final and inarguable reason. It is utterly lacking in basic fairness. The injured students who preceded Joshua Henrich could recover under the law as previously construed by our court. The injured students who follow Joshua Henrich will be able to recover under the law as revised by the General Assembly. It is only Joshua Henrich who is without redress. Why?\nWhen the legislature establishes a political entity such as a school district and then expressly decrees that the entity may no longer invoke immunity, our court has no legitimate basis for refusing to honor the legislature\u2019s will. To cling to the old law, as my colleagues do today, is the sorriest form of judicial obstructionism. It is an insult to the legislature and an insult to the people of Illinois.\nFor a court with any notion of justice, the legislature\u2019s amendment of the law following the lower court\u2019s actions here would at least give pause to reconsider whether our construction of the original statute was correct. See People v. Brooks, 158 Ill. 2d 260, 270 (1994) (where amendment to statute is enacted soon after controversy arises regarding statute\u2019s interpretation, amendment may be indicative of legislative intent even where the law is not ambiguous). For my colleagues, however, the amendment is nothing more than an unwelcome impediment to denying another child\u2019s claims. The law means nothing. Fairness means nothing. Justice means nothing. All that matters to them is that this one school district be protected from this one crippled boy. Poor Joshua. Poor us.\nWith all due respect to Justice Rathje, I do not accuse my colleagues of disregard for the rights of children simply because they do not agree with me. I accuse them of disregard for the rights of children based upon their consistent pattern of denying recovery to children no matter how shocking the facts or how compelling the law might be. Examples are cited in my original dissent..", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE HARRISON," }, { "text": "JUSTICE McMORROW,\nalso dissenting:\nThe General Assembly\u2019s amendment to section 3 \u2014 108 of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/3 \u2014 108 (West 1994)), effective December 2, 1998, excludes willful and wanton conduct from the immunity granted by the statute. The amendment further fortifies the conclusion I advocated in this opinion and elsewhere (see Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378, 399 (1996) (McMorrow, J., dissenting)), namely, that our legislature never intended to immunize willful and wanton conduct in the immunity provisions of section 3 \u2014 108.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE McMORROW," }, { "text": "JUSTICE RATHJE,\nalso dissenting:\nI agree with the legal analysis set forth in Justice Harrison\u2019s dissent to the majority\u2019s original opinion. Unlike Justice Harrison, however, I would not ascribe an \u201cutter disregard for children\u201d to my colleagues in the majority simply because they reach a conclusion different from my own.\nI also agree with Justice Harrison\u2019s supplemental dissent that the Illinois Constitution in no way precludes the application of the amended section 3 \u2014 108 to this case. I likewise dissent.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE RATHJE," } ], "attorneys": [ "Scott B. Gibson and Richard S. Kopsick, of Waukegan, for appellant.", "Hinshaw & Culbertson, of Chicago (Bruce L. Carmen and Stacey L. Seneczko, of counsel), for appellees.", "Marilyn E Johnson, of Chicago (William A. Morgan, of counsel), for amici curiae Board of Education of the City of Chicago et al.", "Peter R. Coladarci, of Chicago, for amicus curiae Illinois Trial Lawyers Association." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 84094.\nJOSHUA A. HENRICH, by his Mother and Next Friend, Judith Henrich, Appellant, v. LIBERTYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL et al., Appellees.\nOpinion filed December 3, 1998.\nSupplemental opinion filed on denial of rehearing June 1, 1999.\nHEIPLE, J., specially concurring.\nHARRISON, J., joined by NICKELS, J., dissenting.\nMcMORROW, J., also dissenting.\nHARRISON, McMORROW and RATHJE, JJ., dissenting on denial of rehearing.\nScott B. Gibson and Richard S. Kopsick, of Waukegan, for appellant.\nHinshaw & Culbertson, of Chicago (Bruce L. Carmen and Stacey L. Seneczko, of counsel), for appellees.\nMarilyn E Johnson, of Chicago (William A. Morgan, of counsel), for amici curiae Board of Education of the City of Chicago et al.\nPeter R. Coladarci, of Chicago, for amicus curiae Illinois Trial Lawyers Association." }, "file_name": "0381-01", "first_page_order": 393, "last_page_order": 425 }