{
  "id": 5335976,
  "name": "Robert W. Milam, Claimant, vs. State of Illinois, Respondent",
  "name_abbreviation": "Milam v. State",
  "decision_date": "1973-09-14",
  "docket_number": "No. 7069",
  "first_page": "71",
  "last_page": "73",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "29 Ill. Ct. Cl. 71"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ill. Ct. Cl.",
    "id": 8793,
    "name": "Illinois Court of Claims"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 29,
    "name_long": "Illinois",
    "name": "Ill."
  },
  "cites_to": [],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 247,
    "char_count": 3130,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.826,
    "sha256": "ae1a4170bba4a8346eea5f4737451bff4fc65d90fd82b18c4a5bac6ff62c5fcb",
    "simhash": "1:436555fb0a05ec1d",
    "word_count": 490
  },
  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:59:26.702673+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "Robert W. Milam, Claimant, vs. State of Illinois, Respondent."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Burks, J.\nClaimant, Robert Milam, seeks recovery of $337.10 for damages incurred when three wards of the Illinois Valley View Boys School escaped and stole claimant\u2019s automobile and personal property, which was stored in the vehicle.\nDepartmental reports of the Department of Corrections by John R. Platt, Superintendent of the Valley View Boys School, were submitted along with a Joint Stipulation entered into between the parties.\nThe submitted departmental reports, recommending that an award be made to claimant, contained the following information:\n\"On the evening of September 24, 1972, at approximately 8:35 p.m., three students in the custody of this Institution effected an escape. The students, Andre Smith, Randall Reaves and Robert Davis, had been committed to the Department as delinquents and, in the case of Reeves and Davis, had had previous histories involving auto theft, criminal trespass to vehicles, and robbery.\nThe students apparently hid in a large field in a gulley adjacent to the Institution and, in spite of our search efforts, were undetected. The Institution shift change occurred at 10:00 p.m., and Mr. Milam reported to work.\nBecause of shortages in personnel, we were unable to man the Institution gate and consequently it was left open to permit search vehicles access to the Institution grounds. Our failure to provide security on the gate permitted the students to leave their place of concealment, re-enter the Institution and have unhampered access to Mr. Milam\u2019s vehicle, which they broke into, hot-wired and drove to Chicago.\nBecause of our lack of adequate personnel, we neglected to provide security for the parking area. Mr. Milam had exercised ordinary care in terms of locking his vehicle in conforming with the regulation of the Institution.\nRetrospectively, we were at fault in not taking adequate precautions to insure the integrity of our employee\u2019s property. As indicated, two of the three students involved have histories involving theft and criminal trespass to vehicles.\nThe students were subsequently apprehended and admitted to the auto theft and wrecking the car. They were transferred to more secure facilities per the Department\u2019s decision.\u201d\nSince the State is not an insurer, claimant must prove negligence on the part of respondent before any award is granted for damage from an escaped inmate. Jones v. State, 26 C.C.R. 163 (1967).\nIt is the opinion of this court that the investigation and report of the Department of Corrections establish and concede respondent\u2019s negligence in permitting three youths who had had previous histories in such criminal propensities, to escape from the Valley View Boys School and, while on escape, steal the automobile belonging to Robert Milam. Respondent has stipulated as to the amount of claimant\u2019s loss.\nClaimant, Robert Milam, is hereby awarded damages in the sum of $337.10.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Burks, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Robert W. Milam, Claimant, pro se.",
      "William J. Scott, Attorney General; Saul R. Wexler and Martin Soll, Assistant Attorneys General, for Respondent."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "(No. 7069\nRobert W. Milam, Claimant, vs. State of Illinois, Respondent.\nOpinion filed September 14, 1973.\nRobert W. Milam, Claimant, pro se.\nWilliam J. Scott, Attorney General; Saul R. Wexler and Martin Soll, Assistant Attorneys General, for Respondent."
  },
  "file_name": "0071-02",
  "first_page_order": 91,
  "last_page_order": 93
}