{ "id": 3513600, "name": "ROBERT LAFIN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "Lafin v. Allstate Insurance", "decision_date": "1988-04-13", "docket_number": "No. 86\u20141411", "first_page": "1075", "last_page": "1082", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "168 Ill. App. 3d 1075" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "116 Ill. 2d 554", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "511 N.E.2d 256", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 Ill. App. 3d 720", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3578297 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/158/0720-01" ] }, { "cite": "513 N.E.2d 1069", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "160 Ill. App. 3d 1059", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3650814 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/160/1059-01" ] }, { "cite": "511 N.E.2d 884", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 Ill. App. 3d 866", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 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App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3541616 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/151/0807-01" ] }, { "cite": "505 N.E.2d 28", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "152 Ill. App. 3d 962", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3575887 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/152/0962-01" ] }, { "cite": "509 N.E.2d 1032", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "155 Ill. App. 3d 1093", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3465451 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/155/1093-01" ] }, { "cite": "513 N.E.2d 12", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "160 Ill. App. 3d 47", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3649922 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/160/0047-01" ] }, { "cite": "513 N.E.2d 1112", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "160 Ill. App. 3d 656", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3650216 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/160/0656-01" ] }, { "cite": "514 N.E.2d 41", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "161 Ill. App. 3d 141", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3466228 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/161/0141-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 Ill. App. 3d 573", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3466811 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/161/0573-01" ] }, { "cite": "166 Ill. App. 3d 637", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5072820 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/166/0637-01" ] }, { "cite": "168 Ill. App. 3d 66", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3514229 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/168/0066-01" ] }, { "cite": "472 N.E.2d 787", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "792" }, { "page": "798" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "104 Ill. 2d 302", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3147125 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "311" }, { "page": "307" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/104/0302-01" ] }, { "cite": "478 N.E.2d 1338", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "106 Ill. 2d 487", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3138974 ], "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/106/0487-01" ] }, { "cite": "491 N.E.2d 1167", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "111 Ill. 2d 585", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "497 N.E.2d 745", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "113 Ill. 2d 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3173343 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/113/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "495 N.E.2d 501", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "113 Ill. 2d 36", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3173628 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/113/0036-01" ] }, { "cite": "506 N.E.2d 586", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "116 Ill. 2d 63", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5543409 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/116/0063-01" ] }, { "cite": "122 Ill. 2d 41", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5549593 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/122/0041-01" ] }, { "cite": "511 N.E.2d 256", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "158 Ill. App. 3d 720", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3578297 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/158/0720-01" ] }, { "cite": "513 N.E.2d 1069", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "160 Ill. App. 3d 1059", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3650814 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/160/1059-01" ] }, { "cite": "511 N.E.2d 884", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "158 Ill. App. 3d 866", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3577530 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/158/0866-01" ] }, { "cite": "509 N.E.2d 723", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "156 Ill. App. 3d 545", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3506069 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/156/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "500 N.E.2d 589", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "149 Ill. App. 3d 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3458458 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/149/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "492 N.E.2d 1322", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "112 Ill. 2d 273", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5539451 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/112/0273-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 870, "char_count": 17950, "ocr_confidence": 0.773, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.1010683298196317e-07, "percentile": 0.5683908598532192 }, "sha256": "bee3ad9dd35c545d0e7e84f29906136ac12ca864dd0720010958ee77f0e0d9f4", "simhash": "1:123374cfef46a693", "word_count": 2961 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:02:50.417384+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "ROBERT LAFIN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE FREEMAN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nPlaintiff, Robert Lafin, filed a three-count contract action against defendant, Allstate Insurance Company, alleging it unjustifiably denied his claim for fire damage. Defendant moved to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s cause for failure to comply with discovery (107 Ill. 2d R. 219(c)(v)), and thereafter plaintiff moved to voluntarily dismiss his complaint pursuant to section 2 \u2014 1009 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2\u20141009.) The trial court granted plaintiff\u2019s motion and defendant appeals. The issue presented for our review is whether sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, pars. 2\u20141009, 13\u2014 217) conflict with Supreme Court Rule 219(c) (107 Ill. 2d R. 219(c)) and thus infringe upon the supreme court\u2019s authority to regulate the Illinois judicial system.\nOn April 7, 1981, a fire completely destroyed plaintiff\u2019s residence located at Rural Route 3 in Earlville. At the time of the fire, plaintiff's home was insured by plaintiff\u2019s policy which provided coverage for certain perils and risks including loss caused by fire.\nOn September 30, 1981, defendant notified plaintiff that his claim had been denied because he violated the terms and conditions of the policy. Specifically, defendant alleged that plaintiff intentionally set or caused the fire to be set. Seeking to collect the insurance proceeds allegedly due under the policy, plaintiff filed a three-count complaint against defendant on March 29, 1982. On September 23, 1982, defendant answered and asserted fraud and misrepresentation as affirmative defenses. Thereafter, defendant filed interrogatories on July 23, 1984, and on January 14, 1986, the trial court ordered the interrogatories answered on or before February 15, 1986. On March 31, 1986, while the interrogatories remained unanswered, defendant filed a motion to dismiss for failure to comply with discovery. Documents attached to its motion revealed that defendant had previously sent two letters pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 201(k) (107 Ill. 2d R. 201(k)) and made two telephone calls requesting compliance. At the hearing on defendant\u2019s motion plaintiff moved to voluntarily dismiss his cause pursuant to section 2 \u2014 1009 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2\u20141009.) The trial court granted plaintiff\u2019s motion, holding plaintiff had an absolute right to voluntarily dismiss his cause notwithstanding defendant\u2019s pending motion to dismiss.\nDefendant, relying on O\u2019Connell v. St. Francis Hospital (1986), 112 Ill. 2d 273, 492 N.E.2d 1322, contends that section 2\u20141009 and section 13 \u2014 217, which permit a plaintiff to commence a new action within one year after an action is voluntarily dismissed (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, pars. 2\u20141009, 13\u2014217), deprive the judiciary of its ability to discharge its duties under Supreme Court Rule 219(c) (107 Ill. 2d R. 219(c)).\nIn O\u2019Connell the plaintiff filed a medical malpractice complaint on the last day prior to the running of the statute of limitations and then delayed several months in attempting to effect service. Thereafter, defendant moved to dismiss the plaintiff\u2019s cause with prejudice for failure to exercise reasonable diligence to obtain service after the applicable statute of limitations had expired (107 Ill. 2d R. 103(b)), and plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his cause pursuant to section 2\u2014 1009 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2 \u2014 1009). Noting that due diligence in serving process is essential to the administration of justice without delay, the supreme court held that \u201cwhere a plaintiff relies on sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217 in response to a pending Rule 103(b) motion, the Rule 103(b) motion must be heard on its merits prior to a ruling on a plaintiff\u2019s motion to dismiss under section 2 \u2014 1009.\u201d (O\u2019Connell v. St. Francis Hospital (1986), 112 Ill. 2d 273, 283, 492 N.E.2d 1322.) Further, the court determined that sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217, as invoked by the plaintiff, \u201cunduly infringe upon this court\u2019s constitutional authority to regulate the judicial system of Illinois.\u201d O\u2019Connell v. St. Francis Hospital (1986), 112 Ill. 2d 273, 281, 492 N.E.2d 1322.\nStressing the similarities between the case at bar and O\u2019Connell, the defendant argues that the court\u2019s interest in insuring a prompt resolution of pending litigation will not be served where a plaintiff is permitted to circumvent discovery rules by voluntarily nonsuiting his case with the option of refiling. Therefore, defendant concludes that Rule 219(c) conflicts with sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217. We disagree.\nSupreme Court Rule 219(c) empowers the court to impose sanctions for failure to comply with discovery. Among the numerous sanctions available to the court is the option to dismiss the plaintiff\u2019s lawsuit with prejudice. This sanction, however, is the most severe available to the court and is employed only as last resort. (Humboldt-Armitage Corp. v. Illinois Fair Plan Association (1980), 86 Ill. App. 3d 888, 408 N.E.2d 307.) On the other hand, failure to exercise reasonable diligence to obtain service after the expiration of the statute of limitations requires the court to dismiss the cause with prejudice. (107 Ill. 2d R. 103(b).) Although the purpose behind the rules requiring prompt service of process and compliance with discovery is to keep litigation progressing without delay or prejudice, the specific purpose of Rule 103(b) is to alert defendants to the pendency of a civil suit, whereas the purpose of Rule 219 is solely to insure evidence is made available to the litigants while it exists. The option available to the trial court to impose a discovery sanction versus the mandate to dismiss a cause with prejudice for failure to exercise due diligence to obtain service distinguishes the rules. Where the trial court is vested with the authority to impose various sanctions for failure to comply, we conclude that the statutory provisions in question do not unduly infringe upon the supreme court\u2019s constitutional rulemaking authority when such sanctions are relied upon to escape a pending motion to dismiss premised upon Rule 219(c). Further, in reaching our conclusion we have reviewed Mancuso v. Beach (1986), 149 Ill. App. 3d 188, 500 N.E.2d 589, Highland v. Stevenson (1987), 153 Ill. App. 3d 390, 505 N.E.2d 776, appeal denied (1987), 116 Ill. 2d 555, Rohr v. Knaus (1987), 153 Ill. App. 3d 1013, 506 N.E.2d 634, appeal denied (1987), 116 Ill. 2d 575, Russ v. Gandhy (1986), 149 Ill. App. 3d 660, 500 N.E.2d 1032, appeal denied (1987), 113 Ill. 2d 584, Kendle v. Village of Downers Grove (1987), 156 Ill. App. 3d 545, 509 N.E.2d 723, appeal denied (1987), 116 Ill. 2d 559, and Gibellina v. Handley (1987), 158 Ill. App. 3d 866, 511 N.E.2d 884, appeal allowed No. 65781 and cause consolidated with No. 66010, Schmitt v. Motorola, Inc. (1987), 160 Ill. App. 3d 1059, 513 N.E.2d 1069. In Mancuso, Highland, Rohr, Russ, Kendle and Gibellina, the appellate courts addressed the propriety of granting plaintiffs\u2019 section 2 \u2014 1009 motions to dismiss while defense motions to dismiss premised upon section 2 \u2014 615 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2 \u2014 615) (Mancuso) or a motion for summary judgment (Highland, Rohr, Russ, Kendle and Gibellina) were pending. In each cause, the court determined that the plaintiff had a right to voluntarily dismiss (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2\u2014 1009) the cause prior to consideration of defendant\u2019s motion. Our review of these cases supports our conclusion that the supreme court\u2019s holding in O\u2019Connell is specifically limited to the interrelationship and conflict between Rule 103(b) and sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217 of the Code of Civil Procedure. See also Griffin v. Area E-7 Hospital Association (1987), 158 Ill. App. 3d 720, 511 N.E.2d 256, appeal denied (1987), 116 Ill. 2d 554.\nAccordingly, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nMcNAMARA, J., concurs.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE FREEMAN" }, { "text": "JUSTICE RIZZI,\nspecially concurring:\nThe significant facts in this case are simple. Plaintiff filed his lawsuit in March 1982. After defendant filed a responsive pleading, defendant filed interrogatories. In March 1986, while the interrogatories remained unanswered by plaintiff, defendant filed a motion to dismiss for failure to comply with the supreme court rules relating to discovery. To support his motion to dismiss, defendant filed documents demonstrating that letters and phone calls were made requesting compliance with the supreme court rules. At the hearing on defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss, plaintiff moved to voluntarily dismiss his case pursuant to section 2\u20141009 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 2 \u2014 1009), with the apparent intention to refile the same case pursuant to section 13 \u2014 217 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, par. 13\u2014217). The trial court denied a hearing on defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss, and the trial court entered an order allowing plaintiff to take a voluntary dismissal notwithstanding defendant\u2019s pending motion to dismiss for failure to comply with the supreme court rules relating to discovery. In my opinion, although the trial court ruled correctly in accordance with section 2 \u2014 1009, I believe the trial court\u2019s ruling once again demonstrates the unfairness and abuses that are created by section 2 \u2014 1009.\nI do not find it necessary to discuss the obvious unfairness and abuse that this case presents, nor do I find it necessary to discuss the obvious unfairness and abuses that are presented in the many cases which have involved sections 2 \u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217. I list some of the other recent cases here merely to demonstrate the extent of the problem that the two legislative enactments have created:\nMuskat v. Sternberg (1988), 122 Ill. 2d 41; Catlett v. Novak (1987), 116 Ill. 2d 63, 506 N.E.2d 586; People v. Joseph (1986), 113 Ill. 2d 36, 495 N.E.2d 501; Meyers v. Bridgeport Machines Division of Textron, Inc. (1986), 113 Ill. 2d 112, 497 N.E.2d 745; O\u2019Connell v. St. Francis Hospital (1986), 112 Ill. 2d 273, 492 N.E.2d 1322; Kiven v. Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. (1986), 111 Ill. 2d 585, 491 N.E.2d 1167; Dillie v. Bisby (1985), 106 Ill. 2d 487, 478 N.E.2d 1338; Kahle v. John Deere Co. (1984), 104 Ill. 2d 302, 472 N.E.2d 787; Whamond v. McGill (1988), 168 Ill. App. 3d 66; Semersky v. West (1988), 166 Ill. App. 3d 637; In re Estate of Jackson (1987), 161 Ill. App. 3d 573; Dassion v. Homan (1987), 161 Ill. App. 3d 141, 514 N.E.2d 41; Jacobsen v. Ragsdale (1987), 160 Ill. App. 3d 656, 513 N.E.2d 1112; Schmitt v. Motorola, Inc. (1987), 160 Ill. App. 3d 1059, 513 N.E.2d 1069; Metcalfe v. St. Elizabeth\u2019s Hospital (1987), 160 Ill. App. 3d 47, 513 N.E.2d 12; Gibellina v. Handley (1987), 158 Ill. App. 3d 866, 511 N.E.2d 884; Griffin v. Area E-7 Hospital Assoc. (1987), 158 Ill. App. 3d 720, 511 N.E.2d 256; Martinez v. Erickson (1987), 155 Ill. App. 3d 1093, 509 N.E.2d 1032; Kendle v. Village of Downers Grove (1987), 156 Ill. App. 3d 545, 509 N.E.2d 723; Sylvester v. Steinberg (1987), 152 Ill. App. 3d 962, 505 N.E.2d 28; Kern v. Peabody Coal Co. (1987), 151 Ill. App. 3d 807, 502 N.E.2d 1322; Miller v. Alexander (1986), 150 Ill. App. 3d 594, 502 N.E.2d 40; Penrod v. Sears, Roebuck & Co. (1987), 150 Ill. App. 3d 125, 501 N.E.2d 367; Mancuso v. Beach (1986), 149 Ill. App. 3d 188, 500 N.E.2d 589; Hughley v. Alcaraz (1986), 144 Ill. App. 3d 726, 494 N.E.2d 706; Jackson v. Schencker & Schencker (1986), 145 Ill. App. 3d 232, 494 N.E.2d 669; Swisher v. Duffy (1985), 139 Ill. App. 3d 691, 487 N.E.2d 696; Land v. Greenwood (1985), 133 Ill. App. 3d 537, 478 N.E.2d 1203.\nUnder the circumstances, it appears to me that the General Assembly should consider limiting a plaintiff\u2019s right to take a voluntary dismissal under section 2 \u2014 1009 or limiting the right to refile after a voluntary dismissal under section 13 \u2014 217, to prevent the unfairness and abuse apparent in this case from reoccurring, and the unfairness and abuses created in similar cases.\nThe fact that section 13 \u2014 217 should be examined by the legislature has already been noted by Justices Ryan and Moran of our Illinois Supreme Court. In Justice Ryan\u2019s concurring opinion, joined by Justice Moran, in Kahle v. John Deere Co., Justice Ryan stated: \u201cI suggest that the General Assembly consider limiting the right to refile after a voluntary dismissal under section 13 \u2014 217 to prevent the abuse apparent in this case.\u201d Kahle, 104 Ill. 2d at 311, 472 N.E.2d at 792.\nAt common law a plaintiff had an absolute right to dismiss his suit without prejudice at any time before verdict or judgment. Under strict common law pleading this rule prevented loss of legitimate claims because of technical errors. Abuse of the right, however, led to highly inequitable results. Moreover, in view of the present wide discretionary power of judges relating to continuances and amendments of pleading, the primary reasons for any absolute right to dismiss have generally disappeared. 27 Fed. Proc., L. Ed. \u00a762:484 (1984); Note, Absolute Dismissal Under Federal Rule 41(a): The Disappearing Right of Voluntary Nonsuit, 63 Yale L.J. 738, 742 (1954).\nThe Illinois legislature attempted to discourage the inequitable results of an absolute right to voluntarily dismiss a suit by limiting a plaintiff\u2019s freedom to obtain a voluntary dismissal, but only by preventing an automatic voluntary dismissal without prejudice after the trial or hearing commenced. (Kahle v. John Deere Co., 104 Ill. 2d at 307, 472 N.E.2d at 798.) However, as I have previously discussed, it is readily apparent that in spite of the present legislative limitation on a plaintiff\u2019s freedom to take a voluntary dismissal, unfairness and abuses relating to voluntary dismissals have been and are occurring in Illinois. Viewing the problem of voluntary dismissals generally, at least one commentator has suggested \u201cplacing dismissals at the discretion of the court from the time the complaint is filed.\u201d (Note, Absolute Dismissal Under Federal Rule 41(a): The Disappearing Right of Voluntary Nonsuit, 63 Yale L.J. 738, 743 (1954).) A more palatable change in Illinois would be simply to adopt the Federal rule on the subject. (D.C. Electronics, Inc. v. Nartron Corp. (6th Cir. 1975), 511 F.2d 294, 298.) The plaintiff may obtain a voluntary dismissal without order of the court under FRCP 41(aXl) in two manners: (1) by filing a notice of dismissal at any time before service by the adverse party of an answer or of a motion for summary judgment, whichever occurs first; or (2) by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared in the action. (27 Fed. Proc., L. Ed. \u00a762:484 (1984).) Specifically, FRCP 41(a)(l) states:\n\u201c(a) Voluntary Dismissal: Effect Thereof.\n(1) By Plaintiff; by Stipulation. Subject to the provisions of Rule 23(e), of Rule 66, and of any statute of the United States, an action may be dismissed by the plaintiff without order of court (i) by filing a notice of dismissal at any time before service by the adverse party of an answer or of a motion for summary judgment, whichever first occurs, or (ii) by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared in the action. Unless otherwise stated in the notice of dismissal or stipulation, the dismissal is without prejudice, except that a notice of dismissal operates as an adjudication upon the merits when filed by a plaintiff who has once dismissed in any court of the United States or of any state an action based on or including the same claim.\u201d Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1).\nIt should be noted that at least 19 States presently follow the Federal rule:\nAlabama (ARCP, Rule 41(a) (1983)); Arizona (16 A.R.S. Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 41(a) (1986)); Colorado (7A C.R.S. Rule 41(a) (1986)); Indiana (West\u2019s Ann. Ind. Code, Title 34, Appendix, Tr. 41 (1986)); Kansas (K.S.A., R.C.P., Chapter 60-241 (1983)); Kentucky (K.R.A., Rule 41(a) (1984)); Maryland (Md. Rule 3 \u2014 506 (1987)); Michigan (Mich. R. Civ. Pro. Rule 2.504(A) (1986)); New Jersey (N.J. Court Rules, 1969, R.4:37\u2014 (1) (1986)); Nevada (N.R.C.P., Rule 41 (1987)); Montana (Chapter 20, M.C.A., Rule 41(a) (1985)); Mississippi (Miss. Rule of Civ. Proc. 41 (1986)); North Dakota (N.D. Century Code, Vol. 5B, Rule 41(a) (1987)); South Dakota (SDCL 15-6-41 (1984)); South Carolina (South Carolina Rule of Civil Procedure 41 (1987)); Utah (Rule 41, Utah Rule of Civil Pro. (1987)); Vermont (V.R.C.P. 41(a) (1971)); Wyoming (WY. Rule of Civ. Pro. Rule 41 (1979)); West Virginia (West Virginia R.C.P., Rule 41 (1986)).\nSix States presently follow a variation of the Federal rule:\nFlorida (\u201cany time before a hearing on motion for summary judgment\u201d) (Florida Stat. Ann., Rules of Court, R. 1.420 (West 1987)); New Mexico (\u201cany time before filing of the answer\u201d) (SCRA 1986, Rule 2 \u2014 305 (1986)); Louisiana (\u201cprior to a general appearance\u201d) (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1671 (West 1961)); N.Y. (\u201cany time before a responsive pleading *** or within 20 days after service of the pleading asserting the claim\u201d) (N.Y. Civil Practice Law \u00a73217(b) (McKinney 1970)); Oklahoma (\u201cany time before a petition of intervention to answer praying for affirmative relief\u201d) (Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, \u00a7684 (West I960)); Wisconsin (any time before responsive pleading) (Wis. Stat. Ann. \u00a7805.04 (West 1977)).\nAccordingly, I concur in the opinion of the majority, but I would like to suggest that the General Assembly reexamine sections 2\u2014 1009 and 13 \u2014 217 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 110, pars. 2-1009, 13-217).", "type": "concurrence", "author": "JUSTICE RIZZI," } ], "attorneys": [ "Zacar\u00edas R. Chacon and Thomas C. Lubben, both of Crotty and Hoyne, of Chicago, for appellant.", "Douglas W. Graham, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ROBERT LAFIN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellant.\nFirst District (3rd Division)\nNo. 86\u20141411\nOpinion filed April 13, 1988.\nRIZZI, J., specially concurring.\nZacar\u00edas R. Chacon and Thomas C. Lubben, both of Crotty and Hoyne, of Chicago, for appellant.\nDouglas W. Graham, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "1075-01", "first_page_order": 1097, "last_page_order": 1104 }