Rice v. Marathon Petroleum Corp.

Summary

The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of the statutory claims arising from a gasoline release because the applicable underground-storage-tank provisions create neither an express nor an implied private right of action for personal injuries. The statutory scheme primarily protects environmental resources, and common-law negligence, governmental enforcement, and related remedies adequately further that purpose without implying a private cause of action or imposing statutory strict liability for third-party personal injuries. The court also held that the appellate court had jurisdiction under the applicable interlocutory-appeal rule. No separate opinions were filed.