The City of Chicago v. Eychaner

(Court opinion corrected 1/26/15.) City exercised its power of eminent domain to take Defendant's property and transfer it to a chocolate company. Court denied Defendant's traverse and motion to dismiss. Jury valued Defendant's land at $2.5 million after trial on just compensation. City may use eminent domain to take property in a conservation area to prevent future blight. Court erred in refusing to exclude reference to land's PMD (planned manufacturing district) zoning. Defendant was not prejudiced when City chose to call expert witnesses Defendant had formerly retained but chose not to call at trial. Court erred in limiting testimony of one of Defendant's previously-retained experts. Appellate court ordered new trial on just compensation. (PUCINSKI and LAVIN, concurring.)