School Districts Obtain Temporary Restraining Order That Closes Dangerous Bus Stop

On August 25, 2009, Franczek Radelet attorneys John Relias, Dana Fattore Crumley and Jackie Wernz successfully obtained a temporary restraining order on behalf of Argo Community High School District No. 217 and Indian Springs School District No. 109. The temporary order allows approximately 260 students to board school buses from safe locations near their homes within the apartment complex, rather than at a bus stop on a busy, industrial street. The week before, the property manager of a large apartment complex in which the approximately 260 District students reside informed the Districts that their school buses would no longer be permitted to enter the complex, even though they had done so for over 25 years. As a result, the students were forced to board buses at the apartment complex's only entrance, located on a heavily-trafficked road with no sidewalk. A State Court judge agreed with the Districts that, without the temporary relief sought, serious, irreparable injury would befall the students, the public, and the District, which would be unable to protect students adequately and would be forced to violate various laws and ordinances. The court ordered the apartment complex, its management company, and its owner to allow access to resume until the case can be fully decided on the merits.

For more information:

• Chicago Tribune, August 27, 2009: "Apartment complex in Justice must allow school buses inside, judge rules"
• Tribune Breaking News, August 26, 2009: "Judge says school buses can enter complex for students"
• Southtown Star, August 28, 2009: "Buses drive into Sunset in Justice"