Palos Community Hospital v. Humana Insurance Co., Inc.
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In 2013, Palos sued, alleging Humana underpaid for medical services that Palos provided to members of Humana health insurance plans. For two years, the parties filed numerous motions to compel and other “emergency” discovery motions. Judge Tailor appointed retired judge Sullivan to serve as a discovery master. In 2017, Judge Sullivan sent a letter with certain recommendations to Judge Tailor and counsel. At a hearing the next day, Judge Shelley began presiding over the case. Palos contended that the court lacked the authority to appoint a special master or mediator to oversee discovery. Judge Shelley saw no “need to deviate from the procedure” that Judge Tailor had established. Palos filed a memorandum in support of its motion to strike the discovery master and an objection to Judge Sullivan’s report.
Palos subsequently moved for substitution of judge as a matter of right, 735 ILCS 5/2-1001(a)(2)(i), noting that the trial court had not made any substantial ruling. The court denied the motion, citing the “testing the waters” exception; ” such a motion “is considered untimely when the party moving for a substitution of judge has discussed issues with the judge, who has indicated a position on a particular point.” Discovery proceeded, with discovery sanctions and spoliation. A jury found in favor of Humana. The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s rulings.
The Illinois Supreme Court reversed. The “test the waters” doctrine is not a valid basis on which to deny a party’s motion for substitution of judge as of right; the doctrine conflicts with the plain language of the statute.
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