P R E S S R E L E A S E
www.gekaslaw.com
Email: info@gekaslaw.com
WOODSTOCK, IL - On Friday, June 18, 2010, Chris and John Gekas obtained $600,000.00 in damages from a McHenry County jury against the Union Pacific Railroad and the City of Crystal Lake on account of their flooding of vacant land located at the intersection of Route 176 and Erick Street in Crystal Lake caused by the City and Railroad’s installation and maintenance of storm water control structures on adjacent land.
The award was in favor of the land owners Shirley and Wayne Rockstead of El Cajon, California, and Carol and William Henderson of Peoria, Arizona. The Rocksteads and Hendersons are co-owners of the property, which they inherited from Mrs. Rockstead’s and Mrs. Henderson’s parents in 1975. Mrs. Rockstead and Mrs. Henderson grew up in Crystal Lake and, for several years, their parents lived on the property which was originally farm land.
The damage award came in Case No. 96 CH 297 after a two week jury trial before the Hon. Michael J. Sullivan, Chief Judge of the McHenry County Circuit Court. The jury awarded $200,000.00 against the Railroad and $400,000.00 against the City. Proceedings continue on the plaintiffs' request for a cease and desist order.