**Haase v. Kankakee School District 111, 2025 IL 131420** 

Riley Haase, a seventh grader at Kankakee Junior High School, got injured after another student tackled him into a wall during indoor soccer. This other student wasn't even dressed for gym and wasn't on either team. Riley claims he ended up with a permanent arm and shoulder injury. The gym teacher was allegedly distracted and not paying much attention, being glued to his phone or laptop.

The complaint mentioned that the gym teacher knew about the tackling student's history of being violent but still didn't step in. The defendants asked the court for summary judgment based on the Tort Immunity Act, arguing that the teacher wasn't liable due to certain protections in the law.

The circuit court sided with the defendants, saying the teacher's lack of attention didn't qualify as willful and wanton misconduct. But the appellate court reversed this, suggesting there were still questions about the teacher's actions and whether willful misconduct was in play.

The Supreme Court then reversed the appellate court's decision, stating that while there was enough to argue negligent supervision, it didn't rise to willful and wanton conduct. They pointed out that playing indoor soccer didn't seem like an inherently dangerous activity, so they upheld the circuit court's summary judgment.

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**Rainey v. Retirement Board of the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of the City of Chicago, 2025 IL 131305** 

In this case, the Illinois Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by Justice O'Brien, decided that a Chicago police officer is entitled to attorney fees and costs after successfully getting her duty disability benefits restored.

The officer was injured in two car accidents while on duty and was previously awarded benefits for her neck and shoulder injuries. In 2022, the Board decided to cut off those benefits, so she fought back legally. The Court found that the Illinois Pension Code allows officers like her to get attorney fees and costs when they win these kinds of battles.