Broken Joliet Sidewalk Leaves Woman Hurt, City Sued By Victim

JOLIET, IL — A woman who was walking on the city sidewalks at Springfield Avenue and Glenwood Avenue one year ago when she stumbled and fell to the ground, leaving her injured, has retained a law firm to sue the city of Joliet for negligence.

Last week's civil lawsuit from Gina Dyar indicates she was lawfully on the public sidewalk on Feb. 28, 2023, and the "city had duties to maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition."

According to her lawsuit, Joliet was negligent, and the sidewalk was not reasonably safe because of holes, depressions and or separations; the deterioration of the sidewalk caused an unsafe elevation/crest; the city failed to properly inspect the sidewalk and failed to make timely and or proper repairs.

The violations, negligence and or hazards outlined in the lawsuit existed prior to Dyar's injuries on Feb. 28, 2023, according to her law firm in Chicago on North Michigan Avenue.

Attorney Bryan J. O'Connor of Whiteside & Goldberg outlined in his lawsuit that on Feb. 28, 2023, "as a proximate result of the violations, negligence and unsafe conditions ... Dyar fell on the sidewalk and ... sustained serious and permanent injuries and incurred economic and non-economic damages and losses."

Dyar is seeking a judgment of at least $50,000 plus "recoverable litigation and trial costs and expenses and plus pre-judgment interest."