Husband of Chicago actress Molly Glynn, killed during storm, sues forest preserve

WINNETKA, Ill. (WLS) -- The husband of Molly Glynn, a Chicago actress who was killed by a falling tree in the north suburbs, is suing the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for negligence.

Joe Foust was bike-riding with his wife on the North Branch Trail in Erickson Woods on Sept. 5 when they were caught in a fast-moving storm. High winds uprooted a tree that fell upon Glynn, 46, killing her.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports the lawsuit filed Thursday claims forest preserve officials knew trees and other vegetation along the bike path were "diseased, defective and weakened." It contends the conditions "presented a risk of harm" to people using the path.

Forest preserve officials couldn't be reached for comment late Thursday.

Glynn was described by her peers as someone who was in the process of emerging as one of the city's major players.

Glynn recently appeared in multiple roles in Skokie's Northlight Theatre production of "Tom Jones" and had just finished a run as an understudy in "The Dance of Death" at Glencoe's Writer's Theatre.

"Molly was a marvelous actress and a completely warm-hearted and generous human being," artistic director Michael Halberstam said in a statement. "She had grace, sophistication and a sparkling, sexy, sassy stage presence."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.