The Village of Dolton is situated in a precarious financial crisis, following the Illinois Appellate Court's affirmation of a $33.5 million judgment against it, linked to a 2016 fatal police chase lawsuit. Dolton is facing this astronomical liability with insurance coverage that falls drastically short, extending only to about one-third of the judgment, attorneys reported. According to the Chicago Tribune, the village's insurance will seemingly cover around $10.5 million, leaving a staggering $23 million deficit.
The case revolves around the deaths and injuries sustained during a chase involving Dolton police, which culminated in a catastrophic crash. Plaintiffs' attorneys flag that the village has already to start accruing about $4 million in interest at a rate of 6%, adding further stress to the locality's obligations, as per the Chicago Tribune. "Plaintiffs' judgment is endangered because there has been a breakdown of governance within the village of Dolton," the petition stated.
The initial lawsuit was filed by Aja Seats and Sabrina Wright, seeking justice for the late John Kyles and Duane Dunlap, who sustained disabilities following an ill-fated police pursuit. The argument provided was based on Dolton’s failure to preserve or produce critical dashboard camera footage and alleged negligent training and supervision. The Cook County Record shared that the panel's decision noted Dolton's challenges, including that the village argued for a separate jury to determine spoilation claims. Justice Rena Van Tine of the appellate court highlighted the "convoluted" nature of the procedural history, pointing out the absence of a clear ruling on Dolton's duty to preserve the video.
