{ "id": 29959, "name": "JEREMY ARTEMAN et al., Appellees, v. CLINTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 15, Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "Arteman v. Clinton Community Unit School District No. 15", "decision_date": "2002-01-25", "docket_number": "No. 90701", "first_page": "475", "last_page": "494", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "198 Ill. 2d 475" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill.", "id": 8772, "name": "Illinois Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "178 Ill. 2d 370", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 385561 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "383" }, { "page": "375" }, { "page": "381", "parenthetical": "\"The legislature, in the Tort Immunity Act, adopted the general principle that local governmental units are liable in tort, 'but limited this with an extensive list of immunities based on specific government functions' [citations]\"" }, { "page": "379" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/178/0370-01" ] }, { "cite": "95 Ill. 2d 211", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3111336 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "220", "parenthetical": "statutes should not be rewritten by this court to conform to its idea of public policy" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/95/0211-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 Ill. 2d 179", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 544917 ], "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "196" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/176/0179-01" ] }, { "cite": "183 Ill. 2d 30", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 209987 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "50", "parenthetical": "the judicially created \"special duty\" exception cannot override the Act without violating, inter alia, the separation of powers doctrine" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/183/0030-01" ] }, { "cite": "301 Ill. App. 3d 798", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 257179 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "809", "parenthetical": "a park district tumbling coach's decision regarding the necessity of safety equipment was a discretionary policy decision under Harinek" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/301/0798-01" ] }, { "cite": "287 Ill. App. 3d 1059", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 521007 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1062" }, { "page": "1061" }, { "page": "1062" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/287/1059-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 Ill. 2d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5490683 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/77/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "60 Ill. App. 3d 729", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3354082 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "734" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/60/0729-01" ] }, { "cite": "183 Ill. App. 3d 367", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2628584 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "379" }, { "page": "379" }, { "page": "379" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/183/0367-01" ] }, { "cite": "197 Ill. 2d 466", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 259095 ], "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/197/0466-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 Ill. 2d 466", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 222800 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "474", "parenthetical": "\"discretionary acts are those which are unique to a particular public office\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/167/0466-01" ] }, { "cite": "147 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3278377 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "11", "parenthetical": "policy decisions are \"those decisions which require the municipality to balance competing interests and to make a judgment call as to what solution will best serve each of those interests\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/147/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "75 Ill. 2d 430", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2990336 ], "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "434" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/75/0430-01" ] }, { "cite": "146 Ill. 2d 467", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5597568 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "473", "parenthetical": "a complaint alleging the independent negligence of a school district in maintaining its premises is not barred by section 24-24 or 34-84a of the School Code" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/146/0467-01" ] }, { "cite": "63 Ill. 2d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5427298 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "173" }, { "page": "174" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/63/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 Ill. 2d 381", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 243891 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "388" }, { "page": "389", "parenthetical": "\"the immunity provided by section 24-24 of the School Code did not derive from the immunity provided by the Tort Immunity Act\"" }, { "page": "383" }, { "page": "394", "parenthetical": "\"The responsibility for the justice or wisdom of legislation rests upon the legislature\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/186/0381-01" ] }, { "cite": "196 Ill. 2d 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 351284 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "490" }, { "page": "490" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/196/0484-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Ill. 2d 378", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 57332 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "388" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0378-01" ] }, { "cite": "145 Ill. 2d 404", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5595999 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "412" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/145/0404-01" ] }, { "cite": "181 Ill. 2d 335", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 821401 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "344" }, { "page": "341" }, { "page": "341" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/181/0335-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 Ill. 2d 372", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 222754 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "378" }, { "page": "378" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/167/0372-01" ] }, { "cite": "156 Ill. 2d 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 777542 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "115" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/156/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "159 Ill. 2d 469", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 781334 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "486" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/159/0469-01" ] }, { "cite": "169 Ill. 2d 551", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 909159 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "559-60" }, { "page": "560" }, { "page": "560" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/169/0551-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 Ill. 2d 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5475820 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "423" }, { "page": "434" }, { "page": "435" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/82/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 Ill. 2d 47", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5449385 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "51" }, { "page": "51" }, { "page": "52-53" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/71/0047-01" ] }, { "cite": "317 Ill. App. 3d 453", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1026005 ], "weight": 12, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "456" }, { "page": "456" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "459-60" }, { "page": "460" }, { "page": "460" }, { "page": "456" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "460" }, { "page": "457-58" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/317/0453-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 Ill. 2d 179", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 544917 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "213", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part" }, { "page": "214", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/176/0179-01" ] }, { "cite": "196 Ill. 2d 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 351284 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "501", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/196/0484-01" ] }, { "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": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/171/0378-01" ] }, { "cite": "181 Ill. 2d 335", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 821401 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "353", "parenthetical": "McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/181/0335-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 Ill. 2d 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5490683 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "170" }, { "page": "170" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/77/0165-01" ] }, { "cite": "147 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3278377 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "11" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/147/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "181 Ill. 2d 335", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 821401 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "342" }, { "page": "355", "parenthetical": "Harrison, J., dissenting" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/181/0335-01" ] }, { "cite": "169 Ill. 2d 551", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 909159 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "557" }, { "page": "558" }, { "page": "558" }, { "page": "558" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/169/0551-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 Ill. 2d 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5475820 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "434" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/82/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 Ill. 2d 47", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5449385 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "52" }, { "page": "52" }, { "page": "52-53" }, { "page": "52-53" } ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/71/0047-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1214, "char_count": 35809, "ocr_confidence": 0.816, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.647260008162866e-07, "percentile": 0.8237364417771075 }, "sha256": "ae1317a2a327a26e56feab175be71939a13805803b5bc4b7d483a1040b61ef1e", "simhash": "1:7babc4927ae9d4d2", "word_count": 5770 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:48:20.838332+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "JEREMY ARTEMAN et al., Appellees, v. CLINTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 15, Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE FITZGERALD\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThe plaintiffs, Jeremy Arteman and his father Steve Arteman, filed a personal injury complaint against the Clinton Community Unit School District No. 15 (the School District), alleging, inter alia, that the School District was negligent in failing to provide roller-blade safety equipment for Jeremy\u2019s physical education class. The School District moved to dismiss this complaint, asserting that it was entitled to immunity under sections 2\u2014201 and 3\u2014108(a) of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (the Act) (745 ILCS 10/2\u2014201, 3\u2014108(a) (West 2000)). The De Witt County circuit court granted the School District\u2019s motion to dismiss, but the appellate court reversed (317 Ill. App. 3d 453).\nThe central issue in this case is whether the plaintiffs\u2019 allegations that the School District negligently failed to provide safety equipment fell within the protective scope of the discretionary immunity provided by section 2\u2014201 of the Act. We reverse the appellate court and affirm the circuit court.\nBACKGROUND\nCount I of the plaintiffs\u2019 four-count complaint charged the School District with negligence. According to the plaintiffs, the School District required all high school students to take a physical education class. On March 20, 1998, the students in Jeremy\u2019s physical education class were expected to run laps or use roller blades on the wooden gym floor under the supervision of two teachers. The students opting to roller blade paid $7, and the School District provided roller blades with a toe brake, which the plaintiffs characterized as an experimental design. The School District did not provide safety equipment such as shin guards, elbow guards, knee guards, helmets, or gloves. Jeremy chose to roller blade. During class, he fell and broke two bones in his right leg. The plaintiffs asserted that the School District was negligent because it:\n\u201ca. Failed to provide the necessary safety equipment for rollarblading [sic] such as but not limited to helmets, shin-guards, kneeguards, elbow pads;\nb. Failed to provide rollarblades [sic] that were suitable for their intended use.\u201d\nAccording to the plaintiffs, this purported negligence caused Jeremy\u2019s injury. The plaintiffs\u2019 complaint also included a \u201cWilful and Wanton Misconduct\u201d count which tracked the allegations of the negligence count, as well as two corresponding counts under the Rights of Married Persons Act (750 ILCS 65/15 (West 2000)).\nThe School District filed a motion to dismiss, contending that sections 2\u2014201 and 3\u2014108(a) of the Act defeated the plaintiffs\u2019 claims. The trial court dismissed the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint, holding that section 3\u2014108(a), which provides immunity from claims alleging a failure to supervise, applied and that the plaintiffs failed to allege sufficient facts to establish willful and wanton misconduct, an exception to section 3\u2014108(a) immunity.\nThe appellate court held that section 3\u2014108(a) did not apply because the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint did not involve allegations that the School District failed to supervise Jeremy. 317 Ill. App. 3d at 456. Instead, the appellate court characterized the gist of the plaintiffs\u2019 complaint as negligent failure to provide appropriate equipment. 317 Ill. App. 3d at 456. The appellate court discussed discretionary immunity and observed that \u201csection 2\u2014201 of the Act \u2014 standing alone \u2014 would provide immunity to the School District in this case.\u201d 317 Ill. App. 3d at 458. However, the appellate court noted that in Gerrity v. Beatty, 71 Ill. 2d 47 (1978), Lynch v. Board of Education of Collinsville Community Unit District No. 10, 82 Ill. 2d 415 (1980), and Palmer v. Mt. Vernon Township High School District 201, 169 Ill. 2d 551 (1996), this court \u201crecognized a cause of action for a school district\u2019s failure to fulfill its independent duty to provide appropriate safety equipment to students.\u201d 317 Ill. App. 3d at 459-60. The appellate court reasoned that the policy considerations outlined in Gerrity and its progeny, which militated against immunity under the School Code, applied with equal force to immunity under the Act. 317 Ill. App. 3d at 460. The appellate court hesitantly concluded that section 2\u2014201 did not defeat the plaintiffs\u2019 claims, reversing and remanding \u201cin the hope that the supreme court, in this case or some other, will address the immunities and duties of school districts under the Act.\u201d 317 Ill. App. 3d at 460.\nWe granted the plaintiffs\u2019 petition for leave to appeal. See 177 Ill. 2d R. 315.\nANALYSIS\nSection 2\u2014619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure permits involuntary dismissal where \u201cthe claim asserted against defendant is barred by other affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of or defeating the claim.\u201d 735 ILCS 5/2\u2014619(a)(9) (West 1998). Affirmative matter in this context means a defense which negates the plaintiff s cause of action. Illinois Graphics Co. v. Nickum, 159 Ill. 2d 469, 486 (1994); see Kedzie & 103rd Currency Exchange, Inc. v. Hodge, 156 Ill. 2d 112, 115 (1993). Immunity under the Act is affirmative matter properly raised in a section 2\u2014619(a)(9) motion to dismiss. Bubb v. Springfield School District 186, 167 Ill. 2d 372, 378 (1995). Our review of a section 2\u2014619 dismissal is de novo. Epstein v. Chicago Board of Education, 178 Ill. 2d 370, 383 (1997).\nWe frequently have discussed the history of sovereign immunity in Illinois, and we need not reiterate it at length here. The 1970 Illinois Constitution abolished sovereign immunity, except as the General Assembly may provide (see Ill. Const. 1970, art. XIII, \u00a7 4), and the legislature exercised this prerogative by retaining the 1965 Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Harinek v. 161 North Clark Street Ltd. Partnership, 181 Ill. 2d 335, 344 (1998); see Epstein, 178 Ill. 2d at 375. The Act serves to protect local public entities, including school boards and school districts (745 ILCS 10/1\u2014206 (West 1998)), and public employees from liability arising from the operation of government (745 ILCS 10/1\u2014101.1(a) (West 1998)). By providing immunity, the General Assembly sought to prevent the dissipation of public funds on damage awards. Bubb, 167 Ill. 2d at 378.\nThe Act grants only immunities and defenses. 745 ILCS 10/1\u2014101.1(a) (West 1998). That is, the Act does not create duties, but merely articulates which of the delineated immunities apply to certain common law duties. Vesey v. Chicago Housing Authority, 145 Ill. 2d 404, 412 (1991); see Epstein, 178 Ill. 2d at 381 (\u201cThe legislature, in the Tort Immunity Act, adopted the general principle that local governmental units are liable in tort, \u2018but limited this with an extensive list of immunities based on specific government functions\u2019 [citations]\u201d). Accordingly, whether a local public entity owed a duty of care and whether that entity enjoyed immunity are separate inquiries. Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378, 388 (1996). Once we determine a duty exists, we must then address whether the Act applies. See Village of Bloomingdale v. CDG Enterprises, Inc., 196 Ill. 2d 484, 490 (2001).\nThe School District contends that the appellate court erred in concluding the duty we recognized in Gerrity defeated immunity under the Act. Before deciding whether the Act provides immunity, we must discuss the School Code immunity provisions as construed by Gerrity and its progeny.\nSections 24\u201424 and 34\u201484a of the School Code direct teachers and other educational employees to maintain discipline in schools. These sections also provide, \u201cIn all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the schools and the school children, [educators] stand in the relation of parents and guardians to the pupils.\u201d 105 ILCS 5/24\u201424, 34\u201484a (West 2000). Accordingly, these sections grant educators the same immunity enjoyed by parents. Henrich v. Libertyville High School, 186 Ill. 2d 381, 388 (1998). In Kobylanski v. Chicago Board of Education, 63 Ill. 2d 165, 173 (1976), we held that \u201csections 24\u201424 and 34\u201484a confer upon teachers and other certified educational employees immunity from suits for negligence arising out of matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the schools and school children.\u2019 In order to impose liability against such educators, a plaintiff must prove wilful and wanton misconduct.\u201d\nWe addressed the scope of School Code immunity in Gerrity v. Beatty, 71 Ill. 2d 47 (1978). In Gerrity, a high school student was severely injured while making a tackle during a junior varsity football game. The student filed a personal injury complaint alleging that his school district negligently furnished an ill-fitting and inadequate helmet. The trial court granted the school district\u2019s motion to dismiss under section 34\u201484a of the School Code. We allowed the student\u2019s motion to transfer his appeal to this court.\nWe stated that sections 24\u201424 and 34\u201484a of the School Code reflect a legislative determination that school discipline depends upon personal relationships between teachers and students, and we noted that these relationships would be jeopardized if teachers were subject to negligence claims for conduct occurring in the exercise of their disciplinary authority.\" Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 51. We further noted, however, that the immunity recognized in Kobylanski concerned a direct teacher-student relationship and the exercise of the teacher\u2019s control over the student\u2019s conduct or physical movement. Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 51. We concluded:\n\u201c[The student\u2019s negligence complaint] did not allege negligence arising out of the teacher-student relationship in matters relating to the teacher\u2019s personal supervision and control of the conduct or physical movement of the student, but instead alleged negligence in connection with what we consider to be the separate function of furnishing equipment which was alleged to be inadequate, ill fitting and defective and which was known, or which in the exercise of ordinary care should have been known, to be liable to cause injury to the plaintiff. The public policy considerations in authorizing, and indeed encouraging, teachers to have broad discretion and latitude in the former situation quite clearly do not apply with as much force to the latter. On the contrary, public policy considerations argue rather strongly against any interpretation which would relax a school district\u2019s obligation to insure that equipment provided for students in connection with activities of this type is fit for the purpose. To hold school districts to the duty of ordinary care in such matters would not be unduly burdensome, nor does it appear to us to be inconsistent with the intended purposes of sections 24\u201424 and 34\u201484a of the School Code.\u201d Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 52-53.\nIn Lynch, a high school student fractured her nasal bone when she was struck in the face and knocked to the ground by an opposing player during a girls\u2019 \u201cpowder-puff\u2019 football game. The student filed a personal injury complaint alleging that her local board of education negligently failed to provide protective equipment. The jury found the board of education liable, and the appellate court affirmed.\nInitially, we observed that the parties never raised the applicability of the Act. Lynch, 82 Ill. 2d at 423. We then discussed Gerrity and held that \u201ca school district has an affirmative duty, where students are engaging in school activities, whether they are extracurricular, or formally authorized as part of the school program, to furnish equipment to prevent serious injuries.\u201d Lynch, 82 Ill. 2d at 434. We reasoned that a contrary result would encourage the board to skirt liability by not furnishing equipment and forcing students to provide for their own safety: \u201cIn that way, only students who could afford their own equipment would be able to engage in school-connected sports activities.\u201d Lynch, 82 Ill. 2d at 435.\nIn Palmer, a high school student was struck in an eye by another player during a varsity basketball practice. The student eventually lost vision in the injured eye and filed a personal injury complaint alleging his school district negligently failed to allow him to wear protective eyewear. The trial court refused two jury instructions from the student regarding the school district\u2019s putative duty to warn students that they should furnish their own safety equipment and the school district\u2019s putative duty to allow students to use safety equipment, and the jury returned a verdict for the school district. The appellate court reversed.\nWe discussed Gerrity and Lynch and held that the trial court correctly refused the student\u2019s instructions: \u201cA duty to warn students of the advisability of wearing such equipment, and a duty to allow students to wear such equipment if it is purchased at their own expense, would be in conflict with a school district\u2019s duty to provide such safety equipment in the first instance.\u201d Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 559-60. We concluded that the school district had an obligation to provide to all students \u201cthe safety equipment that was reasonably necessary in order to protect players from reasonably foreseeable, serious bodily injury.\u201d Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 560. See also Sidwell v. Griggsville Community Unit School District No. 4, 146 Ill. 2d 467, 473 (1992) (a complaint alleging the independent negligence of a school district in maintaining its premises is not barred by section 24\u201424 or 34\u201484a of the School Code).\nAs the appellate court here recognized, Gerrity and its progeny held that school districts have a duty to provide safety equipment, and the School Code offers no immunity from allegations of negligent failure to provide such equipment. However, the tort immunity provisions of the School Code and the Tort Immunity Act are \u201cindependent enactments.\u201d Cooney v. Society of Mt. Carmel, 75 Ill. 2d 430, 434 (1979); accord Henrich, 186 Ill. 2d at 389 (\u201cthe immunity provided by section 24\u201424 of the School Code did not derive from the immunity provided by the Tort Immunity Act\u201d). We now turn to the Act.\nInitially, we agree with the appellate court\u2019s holding that section 3\u2014108(a) of the Act does not apply to the plaintiffs\u2019 allegations. See 317 Ill. App. 3d at 456. Section 3\u2014108(a) provides immunity for injuries \u201ccaused by a failure to supervise an activity on or the use of any public property.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/3\u2014108(a) (West 1998); see Henrich, 186 Ill. 2d at 383; Epstein, 178 Ill. 2d at 379. Here, the plaintiffs charged that the School District failed to provide necessary and suitable roller-blade equipment. This claim does not involve supervision.\nThe School District chiefly contends that section 2 \u2014 201 shielded its decision not to provide roller-blade safety equipment as a discretionary policy determination. Section 2 \u2014 201 of the Act offers the most significant protection afforded to public employees under the Act. D. Baum, Tort Liability of Local Governments and Their Employees: An Introduction to the Illinois Immunity Act, 1966 U. Ill. L.F. 981, 994. Section 2 \u2014 201 provides:\n\u201cExcept as otherwise provided by Statute, a public employee serving in a position involving the determination of policy or the exercise of discretion is not liable for an injury resulting from his act or omission in determining policy when acting in the exercise of such discretion even though abused.\u201d 745 ILCS 10/2\u2014201 (West 1994).\nBecause \u201c[a] local public entity is not liable for an injury resulting from an act or omission of its employee where the employee is not liable\u201d (see 745 ILCS 10/2\u2014109 (West 1998)), this broad discretionary immunity applies to the entities themselves.\nWe have held that section 2\u2014201 immunity is concerned with both the position held by the municipal employee and the action performed by that employee. Harinek, 181 Ill. 2d at 341. That is, the employee\u2019s position may involve either determining policy or exercising discretion, but the employee\u2019s \u201cact or omission must be both a determination of policy and an exercise of discretion.\u201d Harinek, 181 Ill. 2d at 341; see West v. Kirkham, 147 Ill. 2d 1, 11 (1992) (policy decisions are \u201cthose decisions which require the municipality to balance competing interests and to make a judgment call as to what solution will best serve each of those interests\u201d); Snyder v. Curran Township, 167 Ill. 2d 466, 474 (1995) (\u201cdiscretionary acts are those which are unique to a particular public office\u201d); see also Harrison v. Hardin County Community Unit School District No. 1, 197 Ill. 2d 466 (2001).\nOur appellate court previously has addressed whether section 2 \u2014 201 insulates school districts from allegations of failure to provide safety equipment. In Bowers v. Du Page County Regional Board of School Trustees District No. 4, 183 Ill. App. 3d 367 (1989), a student was injured when she fell from a rope ladder during gym class. The student\u2019s mother filed a complaint against the local board of school trustees, alleging that the board negligently failed to provide adequate matting and other equipment. The board filed a motion to dismiss, claiming discretionary immunity under the Act, and the trial court granted this motion.\nThe appellate court held that section 2 \u2014 201 provided immunity because the provision of equipment is a discretionary act. Bowers, 183 Ill. App. 3d at 379. The court disagreed with Thomas v. Chicago Board of Education, 60 Ill. App. 3d 729, 734 (1978), rev\u2019d on other grounds, 77 Ill. 2d 165 (1979), which held that the furnishing of equipment was a separate function from the exercise of discretionary authority. Bowers, 183 Ill. App. 3d at 379. The court noted that the School Code provides that school boards have the power to direct what branches of study shall be taught and what apparatus shall be used (see 105 ILCS 5/10 \u2014 20.8 (West 2000)), but \u201cit does not direct that the Board is to use or supply particular equipment.\u201d Bowers, 183 Ill. App. 3d at 379.\nIn McGurk v. Lincolnway Community School District No. 210, 287 Ill. App. 3d 1059 (1997), a student suffered severe head injuries during a football game. The student\u2019s mother filed a personal injury complaint against the school district, alleging the district breached its duty of care when it furnished the student with a football helmet, but subsequently modified the helmet\u2019s existing safety system and replaced it with a static face guard. The school district filed a motion to dismiss, claiming immunity under section 2\u2014201 of the Act. The trial court denied the motion but permitted the school district to appeal under Supreme Court Rule 308.\nThe appellate court held that section 2 \u2014 201 provided immunity because the selection and modification of specific athletic equipment involve \u201ca degree of discretion.\u201d McGurk, 287 Ill. App. 3d at 1062. The court stated that Gerrity and its progeny addressed school district immunity only under the School Code, not the Act. McGurk, 287 Ill. App. 3d at 1061. The Act and the School Code are different sources of immunity. McGurk, 287 Ill. App. 3d at 1062, citing Kobylanski, 63 Ill. 2d at 174. See Johnson v. Decatur Park District, 301 Ill. App. 3d 798, 809 (1998) (a park district tumbling coach\u2019s decision regarding the necessity of safety equipment was a discretionary policy decision under Harinek).\nSimilarly, the appellate court here held that, pursuant to Harinek, the School District\u2019s decision not to provide roller-blade safety equipment was a discretionary policy determination. 317 Ill. App. 3d at 458. The appellate court concluded: The appellate court also concluded that the School District\u2019s decision regarding the provision of roller-blade equipment was an exercise of discretion: \u201cthe making of a decision about whether or how to perform an act is generally discretionary.\u201d 317 Ill. App. 3d at 458. Nonetheless, the appellate court ultimately held that the policy considerations outlined in Gerrity and its progeny trumped the immunity provided in section 2\u2014201. 317 Ill. App. 3d at 460.\n\u201c[T]he School District\u2019s decision regarding the provision of roller blading equipment during a physical education class, including the type of roller blades to be used, involves a determination of policy within the meaning of section 2\u2014201 of the Act. The School District must consider a variety of factors, including (1) the cost and availability of various types of roller blading equipment; (2) the number of students who may choose to participate in the activity; and (3) the students\u2019 varying skill levels. The School District must then balance those interests against its resources and reach a decision that accomplishes seemingly incompatible objectives \u2014 student safety and cost effectiveness. This is a complex decision-making process that requires the balancing of competing interests and the making of a judgment that will satisfy those interests most effectively.\u201d 317 Ill. App. 3d at 457-58.\nThough the result it reaches is appealing, the appellate court\u2019s holding impermissibly elevates a common law duty over an applicable statutory immunity. See Zimmerman v. Village of Skokie, 183 Ill. 2d 30, 50 (1998) (the judicially created \u201cspecial duty\u201d exception cannot override the Act without violating, inter alia, the separation of powers doctrine). Gerrity and its progeny laudably recognized an obligation for school districts to provide safety equipment reasonably necessary to protect against serious, foreseeable injuries (see Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 560); but, as we have repeatedly noted, the existence of a duty and the existence of an immunity remain separate issues (see CDG Enterprises, 196 Ill. 2d at 490). We agree with the School District and hold that its decision not to provide roller-blade safety equipment was a discretionary policy determination. Section 2\u2014201 provides immunity against the plaintiffs allegations.\nWe acknowledge that, under this view of the Act, a school district would enjoy immunity if, for example, it provided its football players with leather helmets or, worse yet, no helmets at all. Public policy considerations weigh strongly against any interpretation of the Act which would relax school districts\u2019 unstinting, but not unreasonably burdensome, duty to provide safety equipment to this state\u2019s public schoolchildren. The plain language of section 2\u2014201, however, is unambiguous (In re Chicago Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d 179, 196 (1997)), and we lack the power to restrict the Act\u2019s protective scope in order to protect students (see Henrich, 186 Ill. 2d at 394 (\u201cThe responsibility for the justice or wisdom of legislation rests upon the legislature\u201d); Kozak v. Retirement Board of the Firemen\u2019s Annuity & Benefit Fund, 95 Ill. 2d 211, 220 (1983) (statutes should not be rewritten by this court to conform to its idea of public policy)). The inescapable conclusion we reach today highlights the desperate need for legislative attention to the scope of discretionary immunity in this context.\nCONCLUSION\nFor the reasons we have discussed, the judgment of the appellate court is reversed and the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.\nAppellate court judgment reversed; circuit court judgment affirmed.\nWe granted leave to the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Governmental Association of Pools, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, and the Chicago Board of Education to file a brief as amici curiae in support of the School District. See 155 Ill. 2d R. 345.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE FITZGERALD" }, { "text": "JUSTICE McMORROW,\nconcurring in part and dissenting in part:\nThe central issue presented in this appeal is whether the defendant School District is immune from liability under section 2\u2014201 of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2\u2014201 (West 2000)) for injuries suffered by the minor plaintiff during his physical education class. I concur with the majority\u2019s holding that section 2\u2014201 of the Act provides immunity to the School District against plaintiff\u2019s negligence claims. However, because the majority\u2019s opinion also affirms the dismissal of those claims in plaintiffs\u2019 complaint which are premised on allegations that the School District engaged in willful and wanton misconduct, I respectfully dissent from that portion of the majority\u2019s holding.\nPlaintiffs, Jeremy Arteman and his father Steve Artemen, filed a four-count personal injury complaint against Clinton Community Unit School District No. 15 after Jeremy suffered two broken bones when he fell while participating in a roller blading session during a physical education class. Plaintiffs generally alleged in their complaint that the defendant School District provided the students with roller blades that were of \u201cexperimental design,\u201d in that the braking mechanism was located at the toe of the boot instead of at the heel. Count I of the complaint alleged negligence on the part of the School District for failing to provide either \u201cthe necessary safety equipment for [roller blading] such as but not limited to helmets, shinguards, kneeguards [and] elbow pads\u201d or \u201c[roller blades] that were suitable for their intended use.\u201d Count II of the complaint, also a negligence claim, was brought by Steve Arteman under the Rights of Married Persons Act (750 ILCS 65/15 (West 1996)) and sought recovery of his son\u2019s medical expenses. Count III of the complaint mirrored the allegations in count I, but alleged that the School District\u2019s failure to provide necessary roller-blading equipment constituted willful and wanton misconduct. Count TV of the complaint mirrored the Rights of Married Persons Act claim pled in count II, but was premised on a willful and wanton theory of liability.\nThe defendant School District moved to dismiss plaintiffs\u2019 complaint in its entirety, pursuant to section 2\u2014619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2\u2014619(a)(9) (West 1998)), on the basis that it was completely immune from liability under various provisions of the Tort Immunity Act. The circuit court granted defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss plaintiffs\u2019 complaint on Tort Immunity Act grounds. The appellate court reversed the judgment of the circuit court.\nTherefore, before this court is the question of the propriety of the dismissal of plaintiffs\u2019 complaint in its entirety, including those counts premised on a willful and wanton theory of liability. I continue to adhere to my position that willful and wanton misconduct is not shielded by the immunity contained in section 2\u2014201 of the Tort Immunity Act. For the reasons more fully stated in my separate opinions in Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d 378, 399 (1996) (McMorrow, J., dissenting), In re Chicago Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d 179, 213 (1997) (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part); Harinek v. 161 North Clark Street Ltd. Partnership, 181 Ill. 2d 335, 353 (1998) (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part), and Village of Bloomingdale v. CDG Enterprises, Inc., 196 Ill. 2d 484, 501 (2001) (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part), there are cogent reasons why the rationale underlying grants of governmental immunity for simple negligence should not be impliedly expanded to reach willful and wanton or intentional misconduct. It remains my belief that where the Tort Immunity Act is silent on the question of whether intentional governmental misconduct is exempt from immunity, it should not be concluded that such silence translates into an affirmative intent on the part of the legislature to cloak local governmental entities and their employees with unconditional immunity.\nThis is especially true with respect to the grant of immunity from liability for injuries resulting from an exercise of discretion afforded under section 2 \u2014 201 of the Tort Immunity Act. As I explained in my separate opinion in In re Chicago Flood, 176 Ill. 2d at 214 (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part), because \u201cgood faith is a component of discretionary immunity,\u201d section 2 \u2014 201 of the Act does not shield willful and wanton misconduct. See also Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 509 n.1 (McMorrow, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). Accordingly, the two counts in plaintiffs\u2019 complaint premised upon a willful and wanton theory of liability should not be dismissed, and, instead, should be allowed to go forward. Therefore, I respectfully dissent.", "type": "concurring-in-part-and-dissenting-in-part", "author": "JUSTICE McMORROW," }, { "text": "JUSTICE KILBRIDE,\ndissenting:\nThe majority\u2019s opinion represents a departure from a previously unbroken line of this court\u2019s precedent. We have long held that a school district has an affirmative duty to provide safety equipment to protect students from serious injury during school athletic activities. See Gerrity v. Beatty, 71 Ill. 2d 47, 52 (1978); Thomas v. Chicago Board of Education, 77 Ill. 2d 165, 170 (1979); Lynch v. Board of Education of Collinsville Community Unit District No. 10, 82 Ill. 2d 415, 434 (1980); Palmer v. Mt. Vernon Township High School District 201, 169 Ill. 2d 551, 557 (1996). We have likewise held that a school district does not enjoy immunity from liability for injuries allegedly arising from a breach of this duty to provide safety equipment. Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 52; Thomas, 77 Ill. 2d at 170; Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 558. Through its decision in this case, the majority has (1) departed from the plain language of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (the Act) (745 ILCS 10/2\u2014201, 3\u2014108(a) (West 2000)); (2) overlooked the parameters of the individual policymaking requirement of section 2\u2014201 of the Act; and (3) effectively abrogated a school district\u2019s duty to provide safety equipment for its students. I, therefore, respectfully dissent.\nPLAIN LANGUAGE\nSection 2\u2014201 provides:\n\u201cExcept as otherwise provided by Statute, a public employee serving in a position involving the determination of policy or the exercise of discretion is not liable for an injury resulting from his act or omission in determining policy when acting in the exercise of such discretion even though abused.\u201d (Emphasis added.) 745 ILCS 10/2\u2014201 (West 2000).\nThe phrase \u201c[ejxcept as otherwise provided by Statute\u201d indicates that the legislature contemplated the existence of conflicting statutory mandates that may obviate application of section 2\u2014201. In this case, such statutory authority exists in sections 24\u201424 and 34\u201484a of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24\u201424, 34\u201484a (West 2000)). As indicated by the majority, we addressed the scope of immunity under sections 24\u201424 and 34 \u2014 84a of the School Code in Gerrity and determined that those sections did not affect a school district\u2019s obligation to supply safety equipment. Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 52-53. As we stated in Palmer, \u201c \u2018[t]o hold school districts to the duty of ordinary care in such matters [is] not *** unduly burdensome.\u2019 \u201d Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 558, quoting Gerrity, 71 Ill. 2d at 52-53. More importantly, contrary to the majority\u2019s assertion (198 Ill. 2d at 487), the appellate court decision in this case does not elevate a common law duty over an applicable statutory immunity. Immunity pursuant to the applicable statutory authority (i.e., the School Code) simply does not exist in this particular factual situation.\nMoreover, the majority has also departed from the plain language of the Act by allowing the school district to raise section 2\u2014201 immunity when such immunity is specifically afforded to \u201cpublic employee[s],\u201d immunizing each individual policy-making decision. The majority has overlooked this language in the Act and has allowed the school district to enjoy blanket immunity, regardless of the acts or omissions of the district\u2019s individual employees. While it is true that a public entity may not be held liable for an injury resulting from an act or omission of its employee where the employee is not liable (745 ILCS 10/2\u2014109 (West 1998)), as we stated in Palmer in relation to the School Code, a school district cannot vicariously claim the immunity of its employee where it is alleged that the school district\u2019s liability is premised upon the district\u2019s independent duty to provide adequate safety equipment. Palmer, 169 Ill. 2d at 558. Although the majority is correct that the School Code and the Act provide separate immunities to public employees, I can discern no reason to treat the immunity afforded under the Act differently than that afforded by the School Code in this context, and neither has the majority provided such a basis.\nPOLICYMAKING\nBy allowing the school district to raise directly the immunity defense afforded to its employees under the Act, the majority has also circumvented a bedrock principle of section 2\u2014201 immunity. In order to be immune under section 2\u2014201, the policymaking decisions must be decisions that require the employee \u201c \u2018to balance competing interests and to make a judgment call as to what solution will best serve each of those interests.\u2019 \u201d Harinek v. 161 North Clark Street Ltd. Partnership, 181 Ill. 2d 335, 342 (1998), quoting West v. Kirkham, 147 Ill. 2d 1, 11 (1992). Under the majority\u2019s decision, it will never be necessary for a public entity to present evidence that such reasoned deliberation was undertaken. In fact, it will not be necessary for the public entity to show that it even considered the issue at all. Any decision made by a municipal employee whose responsibilities include the determination of policy will be automatically immune from liability. Such blanket immunity is certainly not contemplated by the Act. Harinek, 181 Ill. 2d at 355 (Harrison, J., dissenting).\nI acknowledge that it would be unduly burdensome for a public entity to support every one of its policymaking decisions with evidence of an involved deliberative process. Nonetheless, the importance of the particular issue at hand simply necessitates that the school district somehow demonstrate that there was an affirmative decision not to provide safety equipment for a school-related athletic activity. Otherwise, by conferring blanket immunity to public entities, we will be encouraging school districts and other public entities to take no action concerning a whole host of important safety issues.\nDUTY TO PROVIDE SAFETY EQUIPMENT\nThe majority acknowledges the disastrous consequences of its decision, remarking that under its \u201cview of the Act, a school district would enjoy immunity if, for example, it provided its football players with leather helmets or, worse yet, no helmets at all.\u201d 198 Ill. 2d at 487. The majority then attempts to justify that conclusion as \u201cinescapable\u201d under the existing state of the law. 198 Ill. 2d at 488. While I agree with the majority\u2019s assessment that legislative attention to the scope of discretionary immunity is desperately needed, I take no solace in the fact that the legislature may remedy the situation. The outcome of this particular case was controlled by a line of precedent implicitly overturned by the majority. By its decision, the majority has effectively abrogated a school district\u2019s duty to provide safety equipment to protect students from serious injury during school athletic activities. For this reason and for the reasons expressed above, I respectfully dissent.\nCHIEF JUSTICE HARRISON joins in this dissent.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE KILBRIDE," } ], "attorneys": [ "Gregory Q. Hill, of Hughes, Hill & Tenney, L.L.C., of Decatur, and Hinshaw & Culbertson, of Chicago (Steven M. Puiszis and Stephen R. Swofford, of counsel), for appellant.", "Garry Bryan, of Ray Moss & Associates, EC., of Clinton, for appellees.", "Marilyn F. Johnson, of Chicago (William A. Morgan, of counsel), for amici curiae Illinois Association of School Boards et al." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(No. 90701.\nJEREMY ARTEMAN et al., Appellees, v. CLINTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 15, Appellant.\nOpinion filed January 25, 2002.\nMcMORROW J-, concurring in part and dissenting in part.\nKILBRIDE, J., joined by HARRISON, C.J., dissenting.\nGregory Q. Hill, of Hughes, Hill & Tenney, L.L.C., of Decatur, and Hinshaw & Culbertson, of Chicago (Steven M. Puiszis and Stephen R. Swofford, of counsel), for appellant.\nGarry Bryan, of Ray Moss & Associates, EC., of Clinton, for appellees.\nMarilyn F. Johnson, of Chicago (William A. Morgan, of counsel), for amici curiae Illinois Association of School Boards et al." }, "file_name": "0475-01", "first_page_order": 487, "last_page_order": 506 }