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2-1/2 Years is Not "As Soon As Practicable" - Even for City Government

The City of Chicago suffers summary judgment because it failed to provide timely notice of a lawsuit. The Appellate Court reversed the trial court and found that the City of Chicago's 2-1/2 year delay in providing notice under an insurance policy was plainly unreasonable as a matter of law. Further, the Court rejected the City's claim of estoppel to the late notice defense. The Court also held that the City violated the consent and participation provisions of the policy and, therefore, the settlement it paid was at its own expense. Northern Ins. Co. of New York v. City of Chicago, No. 1-99-3334, 2001 WL 135316 (Ill. App. 1st Dist., Nov. 2, 2001).

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