City of Joliet, Ill. v. New West, L.P.

Dist. Ct. did not err in finding in instant condemnation action that plaintiff-City was entitled to possess and demolish defendant’s housing complex, where record supported Dist. Ct.’s finding that housing complex was dilapidated and crime ridden, and where plaintiff intended to use land to extend existing park. Ct. further rejected defendant’s claim that demolition of housing complex would pose disparate impact on African-Americans living in complex, since, although African Americans formed largest racial group in complex, any impact claim must be based on number of African-Americans living in city. Moreover, defendant failed to show that required move from complex constituted cognizable injury to residents of complex given Dist. Ct.’s finding that housing complex was dilapidated and crime ridden. Fact that judge, rather than jury, generated instant findings of fact in condemnation proceeding did not require different result.