AMY J. ST. EVE, District Judge:
This action arises out of a dispute over the sale of two hotel condominium units in the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The Plaintiff, Jacqueline Goldberg, alleges that the Defendants — 401 North Wabash Venture LLC and Trump Chicago Managing Member LLC — "lured her into signing" agreements to purchase two units by "misrepresent[ing]" that the units included ownership of certain "Trump-branded luxury hotel property and business operations [that] would generate over $5 million in revenue; an ownership interest [that Defendants] stripped unilaterally from [unit] buyers and reclaimed for themselves right before the hotel opened." (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 1.)
In her Amended Complaint, Ms. Goldberg asserts claims under the Illinois Condominium Property Act, the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and the Federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act against both Defendants, and a single claim for breach of contract against Defendant 401 North Wabash Venture LLC. Defendant 401 North Wabash Venture LLC in turn asserts two counterclaims for breach of contract against Ms. Goldberg.
Before the Court is Defendants' motion for summary judgment on all of these claims. For the reasons explained below, the motion is granted in part, and denied in part.
Plaintiff Jacqueline Goldberg, a citizen of Illinois, "is a certified public accountant, certified financial planner and experienced real estate investor who has invested over $10 million in cash in various rental properties." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts
Defendant Wabash LLC, a limited liability company, is the developer of the Trump Tower. (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 1.) Non-party 401 Mezz Venture LLC is the sole member of Defendant Wabash LLC. (Id.) 401 Mezz Venture LLC "is a limited liability company with its members comprised of three [other] limited liability companies: [Defendant] Trump Chicago Managing Member LLC; Trump Chicago Member LLC; and TIHT Chicago Member Acquisition LLC." (Id.) "The sole member of each of these three limited liability companies is
"A condominium is an interest in real estate created by statute that gives each owner an interest in an individual unit as well as an undivided interest in common elements. Administration and operation of the condominium are vested in the condominium association, which is comprised of all unit owners." Bd. of Directors of 175 E. Del. Pl. Homeowners Ass'n v. Hinojosa, 287 Ill.App.3d 886, 889, 223 Ill.Dec. 222, 679 N.E.2d 407 (Ill.App. Ct.1997) ("Condominiums are creatures of statute"); see also Seaphus v. Lilly, 691 F.Supp. 127, 134 (N.D.Ill.1988); (R. 158-1, Expert Report of Mr. Robert Levin ("Levin Report") at 7 ("A condominium is a form of real estate ownership [that] provides owners with an undivided percentage interest in portions of the condominium property held in common with other owners, and an exclusive interest in an area within the condominium property.").) In Illinois, the operative statute is the Illinois Condominium Property Act (the "Illinois Condo Act"). See 765 ILCS 605/1 et seq.
Under the Illinois Condo Act, "[a] condominium comes into being by the recording of a declaration[, which] is prepared and recorded by either the developer or association." Hinojosa, 287 Ill. App.3d at 889, 223 Ill.Dec. 222, 679 N.E.2d 407 (citing 765 ILCS 605/2(a) (defining the declaration as the "instrument by which the property is submitted to the provisions of [the] Act")). The "primary function" of the declaration "is to provide a constitution for the condominium.... The declaration contains the property's legal description, defines the units and common elements, provides the percentage of ownership interests, establishes the rights and obligations of owners, and contains restrictions on the use of the property." Hinojosa, 287 Ill.App.3d at 889, 223 Ill.Dec. 222, 679 N.E.2d 407 (emphasis added); see also Wolinsky v. Kadison, 114 Ill.App.3d 527, 70 Ill.Dec. 277, 449 N.E.2d 151 (Ill.App.Ct.1983) ("When a controversy arises as to the rights of a unit owner in a condominium, we must examine any relevant provisions in the condominium enabling statute, consider the declaration, and study the bylaws and attempt to reconcile the three.").
In addition to the Illinois Condo Act, the Chicago Municipal Code governs condominium developments in Chicago. Under the Municipal Code, a condominium developer must prepare and record a "property report" that contains certain required disclosures. See Chi., Ill., Mun.Code ch. 13-72-020. As a general matter, the property report must contain "information [that] establishes the condominium association as a legal entity, defines the condominium units and common elements which are being established and offered for sale, provides information regarding the operation of the condominium interests, and includes a statement of the projected finances of the condominium." (R. 158-1, Levin Report at 8.)
As relevant to the present case, some condominium developments are "situated
(Id. at 13 (internal paragraph breaks omitted).) Just like in other types of condominium developments, HCU owners would obtain sole ownership of their specific unit, and also joint ownership — as a tenant in common with other HCU owners — of the "common elements" of the condominium. (Id. at 7.)
Trump Tower is a ninety-two story mixed-use building located at 401 North Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. (R. 48, Am. Compl. & R. 84, Am. Ans. ¶¶ 7-8.) An affiliate of the Trump Organization developed the Trump Tower "rather than license its name" to an unaffiliated developer. (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 11.) The Trump developer began construction of Trump Tower in or around 2005 and completed the construction in or around 2009. The building "consists of private residences, hotel condominium units, a health club, spa, meeting rooms, ballrooms, a public parking garage, a parking garage for the private condominium residents, retail space, restaurants, and various other areas including a concierge desk, reception area, and lobby." (R. 48, Am. Compl. & R. 84, Am. Ans. ¶ 8.) The hotel condominium units — or HCUs — "were not registered as securities." (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 26.)
In 1997, prior to the development of Trump Tower, "an affiliate of the Trump Organization opened a hotel condominium property in New York City" referred to as the "Trump Tower NYC." (Id. ¶ 9.) Trump Tower NYC "has a meeting room and a small health club," which are common elements that the HCU condominium association owns and operates, and which generate revenue for the association. (Id. ¶ 10.) The building has a rental program that permits HCU owners to rent out their units to hotel guests and earn income. (Id. ¶ 71.) The "rental program, among other things: (a) provides for the allocation of rental opportunities among HCU owners by, among other ways, permitting the HCU owners to stay in the unit without affecting the propriety or allocation of the rental opportunities provided through the rental project; and (b) does not charge HCU owners a percentage fee for the rental of HCUs through the rental project." (Id.)
The parties agree that "certain information regarding the operation of Trump Tower NYC was used as a model by the individuals who were responsible for planning the hotel condominium at Trump Tower Chicago, including information regarding (a) the rental program; (b) the operating budget; and (c) the identification of common elements." (Id. ¶ 13; see also R. 133-2, Reiss Dep. at 111 ("very much our model").)
The hotel condominium units in the Trump Tower are part of the 401 North Wabash Avenue Condominium (the "Condominium"). Defendant Wabash LLC created the Condominium by preparing, among other things, a condominium declaration (the "Condominium Declaration"), pursuant to the Illinois Condo Act, 765 ILCS 605/4(g); and a condominium property report (the "Property Report"), pursuant to the Chicago Municipal Code. See Chi., Ill., Mun.Code ch. 13-72-020. The Property Report contained certain disclosures required by law, and included as attachments the Condominium Declaration and an estimated budget (the "Estimated Operating Budget"), among other documents. (See Prop. Rep.
The Property Report took effect on or about September 24, 2003. (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 10.) Defendant Wabash LLC subsequently amended the Property Report four times: on or about February 25, 2004 ("First Amendment"); on or about August 18, 2004 ("Second Amendment"); on or about January 10, 2005 ("Third Amendment"); and on or about October 1, 2007 ("Fourth Amendment"). (Id.)
In August of 2006, Plaintiff entered into two agreements with Defendant Wabash LLC to purchase two HCUs — Units 2238 and 2240 — in the Trump Tower. (Id. ¶ 4.) At that time, "the HCUs had not yet been built." (Id. ¶ 6.) The first agreement, dated August 2, 2006, related to Unit 2238 and had a total purchase price of $1,239,500.00. (Id. ¶ 4.) The second agreement, dated August 8, 2006, related to Unit 2240 and had a total purchase price of $971,687.00. (Id.) Each purchase agreement contained materially identical provisions, and the Court will refer to the agreements collectively as the "Purchase Agreements."
In Section 2(a) of the Purchase Agreements, Plaintiff agreed to purchase from Defendant Wabash LLC, and Defendant Wabash LLC agreed to convey to Plaintiff, the following:
(Purchase Agreements § 2(a); see also R. 48, Am. Compl. & R. 84, Am. Ans. ¶ 11; R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 27.) Section 4(a) of the Purchase Agreements provided in relevant part:
(Purchase Agreements § 4(a) (emphasis added).) In various payments beginning in August of 2006, Plaintiff deposited a total of "$516,487.40 toward the purchases of the HCU's pursuant to Paragraph 1(b) of the Purchase Agreements." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 5.)
"Plaintiff testified that she met with three different real estate brokers for the Trump Defendants...." (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 46.) An affiliate of the Trump Organization "identified and retained the services of the Chicago real estate brokerage firm Koenig & Stray (`K & S') to handle Trump Tower Chicago sales and assist with the marketing materials to promote and sell the HCUs." (Id. ¶ 22.) The Trump affiliate "met with K & S and provided the information to use in those marketing materials," and also "explained to K & S the property which was offered for sale and dictated the sales practices which K & S was required to use." (Id. ¶¶ 22-23.) Prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreements, K & S or Defendants provided Plaintiff with certain materials and other information discussed below. (R. 48, Am. Compl. & R. 84, Am. Ans. ¶¶ 15-16, 19.)
"[A]ffiliates of the Trump Organization and K & S used sales packets and other marketing materials [("Marketing Materials")] to promote Trump Tower Chicago HCUs.... [An affiliate of the] Trump Organization approved the Marketing Materials used for Trump Tower Chicago." (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 40.) Mr. Charles Reiss, Mr. Russell Flicker and Ms. Jill Cremer "were responsible for reviewing and approving all marketing materials for Trump Tower."
"The Marketing Materials, among other things, described numerous luxury features and amenities of the Trump Tower Chicago hotel including":
(R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 40.) The Marketing Materials used Mr. Trump's "image and likeness in order to convey his involvement in the project." (Id. ¶ 7.) The materials also promoted "the Trump brand as established, famous, and successful." (Id. ¶ 45.)
Some of the Marketing Materials related to a rental program that would be available to HCU owners. (Id. ¶¶ 41-43.) According to these materials, HCU owners could "occupy the unit `as much or as little as desirable' and have it rented as a hotel room in the Trump International Hotel `when not occupied.'" (Id. ¶ 42.) The program would "provide for the fair allocation of rental opportunities ... and permit owners to occupy their units without adversely impacting the priority and allocation of rental opportunities[.]" (Id. ¶ 43.) The Marketing Materials included the following question and answer:
(Id.) Additionally, Defendants represented to Plaintiff that:
(R. 48, Am. Compl. ¶¶ 20, 28-29, 32, 36.)
Prior to entering into the Purchase Agreements, Plaintiff received a copy of
Defendant Wabash LLC prepared and issued the Property Report in September of 2003. (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 10; R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 28.) The Property Report contained the Declaration of Condominium that defined the "common elements" as those portions of the property defined in Section 3.1 of the Declaration. (Prop. Rep. at 13-14 & Ex. A, Decl.) Section 3.1 of the Declaration in turn provided in part as follows:
(Id.) The Property Report further stated that each owner "shall be a member of the Health Club for so long as such Unit Owner owns a Unit, and, as such, both the Unit Owner and their respective Occupants ... shall have the right to use the basic Health Club amenities ... without any supplemental charge[.]" (Id. at 16-17.) The Property Report stated that a hotel management company would administer a hotel reservation program that would seek to promote "fair allocation" of rental opportunities" by assigning reservations "on a rotating basis" among HCUs. (Id. at 11; see also R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 30.)
The Estimated Operating Budget in the Property Report projected in part as follows:
Common Charges $ 7,162,462 Commissions & Other Rentals $65,000[8 ] Other $15,000[9 ] Total Income $ 7,242,462 Total Expenses $ 7,242,462 Net Income $0
(Prop. Rep., Ex. H at 1; see also R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 31.) The Property Report contained the following cautionary language:
(R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 20 (bold and caps in original).)
On or about February 25, 2004, Defendant Wabash LLC prepared and publicly issued the First Amendment. (See First Amend.
The Estimated Operating Budget in the First Amendment projected in part as follows:
Common Charges $3,286,012 Commissions & Other Rentals $5,038,625[12 ] Other $ 15,000[13 ] Total Income $8,339,637 Total Expenses $8,339,637 Net Income $0
(First Amend., Ex. H; see also R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 34.) Under the First Amendment, the "estimated monthly assessments for Plaintiff's HCU's" totaled $5,832. (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 25.)
On or about August 18, 2004, Defendant Wabash LLC prepared and issued the Second Amendment. (See Sec. Amend.
Common Charges $3,830,120 Meeting & Ballroom Rentals, and Spa Commissions $4,649,500[15 ]
Other $ 15,000[ 16 ] Total Income $8,494,620 Total Expenses $8,494,620 Net Income $0
(Id. ¶ 36 & Sec. Amend., Ex. H.) Under the Second Amendment, the "estimated monthly assessments for Plaintiff's HCU's" totaled $5,566. (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 25.)
On or about January 10, 2005, Defendant Wabash LLC prepared and issued the Third Amendment. (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 35.) This document "contained no amendments to the Declaration of Condominium set forth in" the First Amendment. (Id.) The Estimated Operating Budget in the Third Amendment projected in part as follows:
Common Charges $ 4,755,633 Meeting & Ballroom Rentals, and Spa Commissions $ 5,053,625[17 ] Valet Parking $ 994,650 Other $ 15,000 Total Income $10,818,908 Total Expenses $10,818,908 Net Income $0
(Third Amend., Ex. H; see also R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 37.) Under the Third Amendment, the "estimated monthly assessments for Plaintiff's HCU's ... totaled $4,002." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 25.)
In or around September of 2007, Defendant Wabash LLC issued a "Hotel Condominium Rental Management Agreement for Trump Tower" or "Rental Agreement." (Id. ¶ 30.) Under the Rental Agreement, "any net revenue from the rental of each HCU is paid directly to the owner of that particular HCU; there has never been any pooling of revenues." (Id. ¶ 31.) The terms of the Rental Agreement differed from the terms that the Marketing Materials had described. Specifically, under the Rental Agreement: (1) the "extent of the HCU owners use of their units would adversely affect that unit's ability to be rented in the program"; and (2) HCU owners would incur new fees and charges, including a 3% administration fee; a $6/night reservation fee; and a $30/night marketing fee. (See R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 55.) Prior to the Rental Agreement, Mr. Charles Reiss and Mr. Russell Flicker were "responsible for determining how the anticipated ... rental program was going to operate." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 34.)
Defendant Wabash LLC prepared and issued the Fourth Amendment to the
The Fourth Amendment "contained certain changes to the information contained in the previous versions of the Property Reports" that Plaintiff had received prior to executing the Purchase Agreements. (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 52.) As relevant to this case, the Fourth Amendment changed (1) membership policies for the Health Club; (2) the description of the common elements; and (3) the projected operating budget.
First, the Fourth Amendment modified the description of common elements by (1) removing "concierge area"; (2) removing "laundry facilities"; (3) removing "Meeting/Function Rooms and Ballrooms"; (4) removing "Storage Areas"; (5) removing "the executive lounge"; (6) removing "mail boxes, if any," and (7) adding "telephone systems." (Fourth Amend., Ex. A, Decl. at 9.) Now, the "Meeting/Function Rooms and Ballrooms are located within the Commercial Property," rather than the Common Elements, and as such, the revenue from these functions goes to the developer. (Id. at 4.) Mr. Trump gave final approval for these changes. (R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶ 53.)
Second, the Fourth Amendment modified membership terms with respect to the Health Club. Under the amended report:
(Fourth Amend, Ex. A, Decl. at 25.) The addition of the italicized language stripped HCU owners of their complementary membership to the Health Club when the owner was not occupying her HCU.
Third, the Estimated Operating Budget now projected in part as follows:
Common Charges $5,636,605 F & B License $ 500,000[19 ] Total Income $6,136,605 Subtotal Expenses $6,079,456 Contingency $ 57,149 Grand Total Expenses $6,136,605
(Id., Ex. H.) Under the Fourth Amendment, the "estimated monthly assessments for Plaintiff's HCU's ... totaled $4,551." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 25.)
Defendant Wabash LLC "sent Plaintiff notice that the closings under the two Purchase Agreements were scheduled for June 26, 2009." (Id. ¶ 36.) Plaintiff "refused to close" and threatened to seek to "enjoin the closing." (Id.) The parties discussed a potential settlement, but their efforts were "unsuccessful." (Id.) In two letters dated November 12, 2009, Defendant Wabash LLC notified Plaintiff "that she was in default under both Purchase Agreements for failure to close, but that she could remedy the defaults by contacting Wabash [LLC] to schedule closings to
On September 10, 2009, Plaintiff filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against Wabash LLC, Trump Chicago Managing Member LLC, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas ("Deutsche Bank"). Defendants removed the action to this Court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1332, 1441, 1446. In this federal proceeding, the Court dismissed Deutsche Bank as a Defendant and additionally dismissed certain claims against the other parties. (R. 33, 36, 37.) On June 4, 2010, Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint against Defendants Wabash LLC and Trump Chicago Managing Member LLC. (R. 48.) On June 30, 2010, as amended on June 26, 2011, Defendants filed an Answer and Affirmative Defenses. (R. 54, 84.) Additionally, Defendant Wabash LLC has asserted two counterclaims against Plaintiff (R. 54), which Plaintiff has answered. (R. 56.)
On April 26, 2012, Defendants moved for summary judgment on each of the claims and counterclaims. (R. 111, Defs.' Mot.; R. 119, Defs.' Mem.) The motion is now fully briefed. (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp.; R. 166, Defs.' Reply.)
Rule 56 provides that a "party may move for summary judgment, identifying each claim or defense — or the part of each claim or defense — on which summary judgment is sought." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). Under the Rule, summary judgment is appropriate "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Id.; see also Parent v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., 694 F.3d 919, 921-22 (7th Cir.2012). A genuine dispute as to any material fact exists if "the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); see also Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(3) ("The court need consider only the cited materials, but it may consider other materials in the record.").
In deciding summary judgment motions, "facts must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party only if there is a `genuine' dispute as to those facts." Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007). The party seeking summary judgment has the initial burden of establishing that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). After "a properly supported motion for summary judgment is made, the adverse party `must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.'" Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (citation omitted). "[D]istrict courts presiding over summary judgment proceedings may not weigh conflicting evidence or make credibility determinations, both of which are the province of the jury." Omnicare, Inc. v. UnitedHealth Grp., Inc., 629 F.3d 697, 704-05 (7th Cir.2011) (internal citations omitted).
Here, Defendants seek summary judgment on each of the five counts in the Amended Complaint, namely: violation of
Plaintiff claims in Count I that Defendants violated the Illinois Condo Act, 765 ILCS 605/1 et seq.; in Count II that Defendants violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act ("ICFA"), 815 ILCS 505/1 et seq.; and in Count III that Defendants violated the Federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act ("Interstate Land Sales Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et. seq. Plaintiff's theory of liability for each of these counts is that Defendants "knew all along that they would never deliver the ownership of the hotel property and operations to HCU buyers," and therefore misrepresented, failed to disclose, omitted and/or concealed material information in connection with the sale of the HCUs. (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 2 (emphasis in original).)
More specifically, Plaintiff's claims under the Illinois Condo Act, the ICFA, and the Interstate Land Sales Act center around the following allegations:
Before turning to Defendants' arguments in support of summary judgment, the Court sets forth the elements of these claims.
Section 22 of the Illinois Condo Act provides in relevant part that, "[i]n relation to the initial sale or offering for sale of any condominium unit, the seller must make full disclosure of, and provide copies to the prospective buyer of, the following information related to the condominium project:"
765 ILCS 605/22; see also Borys v. Josada Builders, Inc., 110 Ill.App.3d 29, 30, 65 Ill.Dec. 749, 441 N.E.2d 1263 (Ill.App.Ct. 1982). This disclosure requirement seeks "to prevent prospective purchasers from buying a unit without being fully informed and satisfied with the financial stability of the condominium as well as the management and rules and regulations which affect the unit." Mikulecky v. Bart, 355 Ill.App.3d 1006, 1012, 292 Ill.Dec. 10, 825 N.E.2d 266 (Ill.App.Ct.2004) (quoting Nikolopulos v. Balourdos, 245 Ill.App.3d 71, 77, 185 Ill.Dec. 278, 614 N.E.2d 412 (1993)).
As the Court previously explained, the requirement of full disclosure applies only to information "`which is available ... before execution of the contract for sale.'" Goldberg v. 401 N. Wabash Venture LLC, No. 09-CV-6455, 2010 WL 1655089, at *3 (N.D.Ill. Apr. 22, 2012) (quoting 765 ILCS 605/22 (emphasis added)). "If a seller fails to make full disclosure as required by [Section 22], then the buyer is entitled to rescind the contract and receive a refund of all deposit moneys paid plus interest." Borys, 110 Ill.App.3d at 29, 65 Ill.Dec. 749, 441 N.E.2d 1263.
The ICFA "`is a regulatory and remedial statute intended to protect consumers
Robinson, 201 Ill.2d at 417, 266 Ill.Dec. 879, 775 N.E.2d 951 (quoting 815 ILCS 505/2); see also Wigod v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 673 F.3d 547, 574 (7th Cir. 2012) ("The Act is liberally construed to effectuate its purpose.") (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
To prevail on a claim under the ICFA, the plaintiff must prove (1) an unfair or deceptive act or practice by the defendant; (2) "the defendant's intent that the plaintiff rely" on the act or practice; and (3) "the occurrence of" the act or practice "during a course of conduct involving trade or commerce." Robinson, 201 Ill.2d at 417, 266 Ill.Dec. 879, 775 N.E.2d 951.
The Interstate Land Sales Act sets up "specific disclosure regulations" and "contains a general anti-fraud provision that makes it illegal to obtain money or property in connection with a development by means of a material false statement or any omission of a material fact necessary to make the statement made not misleading.'" Sewell v. D'Alessandro & Woodyard, Inc., 655 F.Supp.2d 1228, 1255 (M.D.Fla.2009) (quoting Rice v. Branigar Org., Inc., 922 F.2d 788, 791 n. 4 (11th Cir.1991)); see also 15 U.S.C. § 1703.
Here, the parties agree that the dispositive question, for purposes of Counts I, II, and III, is "whether there is evidence, viewed in the requisite light most favorable to Plaintiff, from which a reasonable jury could conclude that the Trump Defendants knew and failed to disclose when Plaintiff signed Purchase Agreements in 2006 that the ownership of the Trump-branded luxury hotel property and operations would not be provided when the HCUs were later delivered." (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 1; see also R. 166, Defs.' Reply at 2.)
In moving for summary judgment, Defendants point to the testimony of numerous current and former Trump executives and argue that "discovery has confirmed that all representations in the 2005 Property Report were true when made and accurately described Wabash's plans for Trump Tower." (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 8-10 (citing Stmnt of Undisputed Facts ¶¶ 13, 26-29).) Defendants further argue that Plaintiff "knew ... that [changes] could happen" when she signed the Purchase Agreements, and that she lacks any evidence of fraud, non-disclosure, concealment, or other unlawful conduct that would subject Defendants to liability. (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 10 (citing Defs.' Stmnt of Undisputed Facts ¶¶ 11, 14-15, 18).)
In response to the motion, Plaintiff proffers the following evidence, which the Court will discuss in detail below: (1) the testimony of Mr. Trump about his experiences with and his views on condominium associations; (2) the testimony of Mr. Reiss and others about Mr. Trump's decision-making
The Court has carefully reviewed the parties' briefs and independently reviewed the record in light of the parties' arguments. In considering the propriety of summary judgment, the Court will first review the nature of the evidence that Plaintiff proffers and then consider whether the proffered evidence, viewed in its entirety, is sufficient to defeat summary judgment.
First, Plaintiff proffers the deposition testimony of Mr. Donald Trump, the sole owner and member of each Defendant corporation. Mr. Trump, a self-described "expert" on condominium developments, testified that based on his experience, he went into the Trump Tower project aware that "it can be very difficult" for a condominium board to manage function rooms, ballrooms, and food/beverage operations. (R. 133-7, Trump Dep. at 31.) Mr. Trump explained that, as a general matter, condominium associations "can change their mind," "fire managers," "do lots of different things to create tremendous turmoil," and "really ruin the operation very easily." (Id. at 44.) He further explained that if a condominium association fired a manager, "[i]t could become a disaster." (Id. at 45.) This "has happened before, many times, where condo boards are involved and they can't make a decision, they can't hire a manager, and the whole thing goes to hell." (Id. at 44-45.) This may affect not only the stability and profitability of the building, but also the Trump Organization. (Id. at 86.)
With regard to Trump Tower Chicago specifically, Mr. Trump testified that he was not personally involved in the initial decisions about common elements. (Id. at 48-51.) When asked, in light of his concerns about condominium associations, why the original Property Report allowed the condominium association to operate certain hotel functions, Mr. Trump testified, "I don't think it's something we thought of very much at the beginning. We started realizing it as we were building the building." (Id. at 45; see also at 29 (further testifying that the possibility of revenue fluctuations from operations was not "something we gave a lot of thought to at the very early stages").)
Second, Plaintiff proffers the deposition testimony of Mr. Charles Reiss and others about Mr. Trump's decision-making authority within the Trump Organization. (E.g., R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 2.) Mr. Reiss testified that Mr. Trump assigned him to work on the development of the Trump Tower. (R. 133-2, Reiss Dep. at 82-85.) From the "outset" of the project in 1998, the building was "intended to be an HCU building." (Id. at 85-86.) Mr. Reiss suggested to Mr. Trump that the building "should be organized" as such, but "ultimately it was Mr. Trump's decision." (Id. at 86.) Mr. Reiss made clear that "[u]ltimate authority in all cases was Mr. Trump." (Id. at 87.) Indeed, Mr. Trump hired K & S as the firm to market and sell units in the Trump Tower. (Id. at 99-100.) According to Mr. Reiss:
(Id. at 101.)
Mr. Reiss elsewhere suggested that he lacked authority to make decisions with respect to the property. In discussing an early modification to the building, for example, Mr. Reiss testified: "Just like all decisions, I discussed [removing office space in the building] with Donald and we agreed that was the appropriate thing to do." (Id. at 110-11; see also id. at 170-71 ("... I had no unilateral authority to do anything, but I had a great deal of latitude to make decisions based on my previous work with Mr. Trump.").) As to the Health Club, Mr. Reiss testified to the following:
(Id. at 197.)
Third, Plaintiff contends that Defendant "engaged in a pattern of failing to disclose and misrepresenting information [about laundry facilities] in order to sell HCUs,"
Despite these undisputed facts, Defendants argue that there was no misrepresentation because: (1) "laundry facilities" is not a defined term like "Meeting Room" in any underlying document; (2) the description of common elements contained the words "if applicable," meaning that "including of the words `laundry facilities' in that list reflected that, if anything generally matching that description was included in the `Property,' it would be a common element"; and (3) Plaintiff's testimony is uncorroborated. (R. 166, Defs.' Reply at 11-13.) These arguments raise issues of weight for the jury.
Defendants' are correct that the Property Report included the phrase "if applicable," but so too did the Fourth Amendment to the Property Report that removed "laundry facilities." Additionally, although Defendants sometimes used the words "if any" following a specific common element, they did not do so with regard to "laundry facilities." Defendants did not remove the phrase "laundry facilities" until 2007, despite ample opportunity to do so, and despite Mr. Reiss' express statement in 2005 that Defendants were not including laundry facilities.
As to Plaintiff's testimony, Defendants dismiss it as "uncorroborated." The Seventh Circuit has made clear, however, that even "uncorroborated, self-serving testimony, if based on personal knowledge or firsthand experience, may prevent summary judgment against the non-moving party, as such testimony can be evidence of disputed material facts." Marr v. Bank of Am., N.A., 662 F.3d 963, 968 (7th Cir.2011) (internal citation omitted). Cf. United States v. Stewart, 107 Fed. Appx. 667, 670 (7th Cir.2004) (finding no error in district court's decision to credit uncorroborated testimony at sentencing) (citing United States v. Cedano-Rojas, 999 F.2d 1175, 1180 (7th Cir.1993) ("The testimony of one witness, even one arguably biased against the defendant, is sufficient to support a finding of fact.")). Even if Plaintiff's testimony alone, without more, is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact, see Bridgman v. New Trier High Sch. Dist. No. 203, 128 F.3d 1146, 1150 (7th Cir.1997), it is sufficient to do so in concert with other evidence in the record viewed in the light
Fourth, Plaintiff proffers the expert report of Mr. Robert Levin, who opines that "established developers, like the Trump Defendants, make decisions about ownership of condominium property before any units are sold." (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 14.) The Court previously explained, in a detailed order, that this type of opinion testimony is admissible. See Goldberg v. 401 N. Wabash Venture LLC, No. 09 C 6455, 2012 WL 3686644, at *4-5 (N.D.Ill. Aug. 24, 2012). The jury could credit it, as discussed in greater detail below.
Finally, Plaintiff proffers testimony from numerous Trump witnesses to show that these witnesses almost uniformly (1) offered "non-credible explanations" for the reasons behind the changes in the Fourth Amendment (e.g., the condominium association was ill-suited to own certain options even though this would have been known from the beginning; need to prevent "gawking" at celebrities in the health club); and (2) were unable to remember or recall important dates relating to the Fourth Amendment. (Id. at 15; see also R. 133 & 162, Stmnt. of Add'l Undisputed Facts ¶¶ 64-77.)
As to the latter, the Trump executives denied any implication of concealment or untimely disclosure, but they did not provide much more on the issue of timing:
Plaintiff proffers the following testimony:
Ms. Cremer "was involved on behalf of Wabash in various aspects of the planning of Trump Tower beginning in 2002 until [she] left The Trump Organization in 2008." (R. 117-1.)
Mr. Weiss was "involved on behalf of Wabash in various aspects of the planning and development for Trump Tower." (R. 116-1.) Mr. Weiss testified as follows:
Mr. Petrus "join[ed] the Trump Organization in 2006" and was "principally responsible for preparing the estimated operating
Mr. O'Callaghan began working for the Trump Organization in November of 2006 and, at the time of his deposition, served as the managing director of the Trump Tower. (R. 113-9.) Plaintiff proffers the following testimony from Mr. O'Callaghan:
Viewing the entire evidentiary record in the light most favorable to Plaintiff as the nonmovant, and drawing "all reasonable factual inferences" in her favor, see Mercatus Grp. LLC v. Lake Forest Hosp., 641 F.3d 834, 839-40 (7th Cir.2011), a reasonable jury could find for Plaintiff on Counts I, II and III. Specifically, a reasonable jury could find that Defendants never intended to convey the HCUs in the manner described in the Property Report and Marketing Materials that Plaintiff received prior to August of 2006, and that Defendants therefore misrepresented and concealed material information.
The jury could reasonably infer that Mr. Trump, Defendants' principal who approved the Fourth Amendment to the Property Report, never intended to cede ownership of the hotel function areas at issue to HCU purchasers. Mr. Trump's testimony revealed his skeptical view of condominium associations. He discussed his knowledge of the "many times" that condominium associations have turned developments into a "disaster." According to Mr. Trump, condominium associations "can change their mind," "fire managers," "do lots of different things to create tremendous turmoil," and "really ruin the operation very easily," all of which can create tremendous financial and operational instability. Much of Mr. Trump's testimony, as Defendants point out, was in the abstract, but his general views, based on his knowledge and experience, including the development of the Trump Tower NYC, are instructive.
Mr. Trump, an experienced real estate developer, had a great personal and financial interest in the project and was astutely aware of the development process. The development bears his name, and turmoil in condominium operations and finances, and the possibility that the condominium organization would "fire" the Trump Organization, "would be bad for the building." (R. 133-7, Trump Dep. at 85-86.) This possibly could also reflect poorly on Mr. Trump personally. Mr. Trump expressly stated:
(Id. at 85-86.)
Mr. Trump and his executive team knew from the inception of the project that the common elements were an important marketing and selling point, and indeed Defendants touted the benefits of ownership of specific common elements (that they later stripped away) well before August of 2006. Moreover, as Mr. Levin opines, it is industry practice and custom to define the common elements well in advance of construction. See United States v. O'Brien, 119 F.3d 523, 533 (7th Cir.1997) (relying in part on non-compliance with industry custom to affirm finding of intent); Hill v. PS Ill. Trust, 368 Ill.App.3d 310, 320, 305 Ill.Dec. 755, 856 N.E.2d 560 (Ill.App.Ct.2006) (finding allegation that business practice "was contrary to well-establish industry practices" relevant to claim under the Consumer Fraud Act).
Mr. Trump testified that he approved the changes in the Fourth Amendment because "lots of things, lots of bad things could happen" if the condominium association owned the hotel function areas at issue. (R. 133-7, Trump Dep. at 65.) Despite his concerns regarding condominium associations, Mr. Trump explained that the pitfalls of ownership by the Condominium were "not something we thought of very much at the beginning" of this project (and further testified that he was not personally involved in the early decisions about common elements). The jury could find to the contrary based on the evidence discussed above. (E.g., R. 133-2, Reiss Dep. at 187.)
Individual Trump executives like Mr. Reiss may not have been aware of Mr. Trump's plans, but that does not matter because the buck stopped with Mr. Trump. He was the ultimate decision-maker and had the prerogative to share or not to share his plans for the development project.
Even if, as Defendants argue, "Plaintiff knew when she signed the Purchase Agreements that [modifications] could happen" in the future (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 9), this is of little moment because she claims fraud, deception, and non-disclosure before and at the time that she signed the Purchase Agreements. See Burke v. 401 N. Wabash Venture, LLC, No. 08 C 5330, 2011 WL 2565896, at *5 (N.D.Ill. June 28, 2011) (rejecting a similar argument on the basis that "nothing in the Agreement ... allowed defendant knowingly to understand the budget in an attempt to attract buyers.").
Bolstering Plaintiff's theory of the case is the testimony of various Trump witnesses who could not recall important dates or time periods relating to the Fourth Amendment, and who offered what the jury could find are unsubstantiated reasons supporting the changes made in
Moreover, Defendants rely extensively on the testimony of current and former Trump executives in moving for summary judgment. This reliance squarely places the credibility of these witnesses in issue. In light of the other evidence discussed above, the material issue of when Defendants decided to make the changes effectuated in the Fourth Amendment may hinge on the credibility of Defendants' witnesses. While these credibility issues may not be affirmative proof in the abstract, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, given the other evidence in the record, this collective memory loss supports Plaintiff's theory of the case.
Many of Defendants' attacks on Plaintiff's theory of the case are isolated attacks on specific pieces of evidence. Although Plaintiff has not offered direct evidence to support her claims, she has nonetheless met her burden by relying on numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence that she strings together to provide a sufficient evidentiary foundation for her claims. See Cole v. Illinois, 562 F.3d 812, 815 n. 2 (7th Cir.2009) ("a number of observations each of which supports a proposition only weakly can, when taken as a whole, provide strong support if all point in the same direction: a number of weak proofs can add up to a strong proof") (citation omitted).
Defendants offers three additional arguments as to Count Two. None of them is persuasive for purposes of summary judgment.
First, Defendants argue that Plaintiff's "claim concerning function room revenue fails." (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 11-13.) Defendants explain that to the extent Plaintiff alleges that Defendants' actions "depriv[ed] HCU owners of `approximately five million dollars' in revenue,'" the claim fails because: (1) the monetary figure was a merely an "estimate" or "projection" that cannot form the basis of a fraud claim; (2) Plaintiff "knew that the budget and her monthly assessments were subject to change"; and (3) the reduction in revenue was not material because there was also an equal reduction in expenses, meaning that the "net result was ultimately a wash for unit owners." (Id.)
The Court rejects these arguments for purposes of summary judgment. Although a projection itself may not be an actionable promise or representation, Plaintiff claims that Defendants knew, at the time, that the projection was false (because of the later changes in the Fourth Amendment) and therefore it was not a
Next, Defendants argue that Plaintiff's claim of "unfairness" under the ICFA fails as a matter of law. (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 13-14.) See generally Saunders v. Mich. Ave. Nat'l Bank, 278 Ill.App.3d 307, 311, 214 Ill.Dec. 1036, 662 N.E.2d 602 (Ill. App.Ct.1996) (discussing a claim of unfairness under the consumer fraud statute). Defendants reason that, "as already explained [in connection with the previous claims], there is no evidence that any of the alleged statements that Plaintiff claims inducted her to buy HCUs were false at the time they were made." (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 13.) Because Defendants rely on the same arguments that the Court rejected above, the motion for summary judgment on the "unfairness claim" is denied.
For all of these reasons, the Court denies Defendants' motion for summary judgment as to Counts I, II, and III.
In Count IV, Plaintiff claims that Defendants violated the Illinois Securities Law in connection with its sale and marketing of her HCUs, which Plaintiff alleges to be "securities." (R. 48, Am. Compl. ¶¶ 75-86.) To prevail on a claim under the Illinois Securities Law, Plaintiff must show that the transaction involved the sale of a "security" within the meaning of the statute. See Boatmen's Bank of Benton v. Durham, 203 Ill.App.3d 921, 924, 148 Ill.Dec. 900, 561 N.E.2d 206 (Ill.App.Ct.1990). Defendants move for summary judgment on the primary basis that "Plaintiff's HCUs are not `securities.'"
The Illinois Securities Act, like its federal counterpart, defines "security" to include "investment contract." 815 ILCS 5/2.1; accord 15 U.S.C. § 77b(a)(1). Illinois courts look to federal law to define "investment contract." Ronnett v. Am. Breeding Herds, Inc., 124 Ill.App.3d 842, 847, 80 Ill.Dec. 218 464 N.E.2d 1201 (Ill. App.Ct.1984) (observing that "[t]he Federal Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Law are substantially similar; therefore, Illinois courts have adopted the United States Supreme Court construction of `investment contract'"). Under federal law, as espoused by the United States Supreme Court in S.E.C. v. W.J. Howey Co.:
328 U.S. 293, 299, 66 S.Ct. 1100, 90 L.Ed. 1244 (1946). In what has become known as the "Howey test," three elements must be present for an instrument to be an investment contact: (1) an investment of money; (2) a common enterprise; and (3) the expectation of profits to come solely from the efforts of others. See Rodeo v. Gillman, 787 F.2d 1175, 1177 (7th Cir. 1986); Cogniplex, Inc. v. Ross, No. 00 C 7463, 2001 WL 436210, at *9 (N.D.Ill. Apr. 27, 2001) ("Because Illinois' securities laws substantially track federal securities laws, Illinois courts have adopted the Howey test.").
The Court begins — and ends — with Defendants' argument that Plaintiff cannot establish the existence of a "common enterprise." (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 16-21.) As a general matter, there are two ways to show a "common enterprise": (1) "horizontal commonality" and (2) "vertical commonality." See S.E.C. v. Infinity Grp. Co., 212 F.3d 180, 188 n. 8 (3d Cir. 2000). Horizontal commonality is the stricter of the two tests and exists where "multiple investors [] pool their investments and receive pro rata profits." Stenger v. R.H. Love Galleries, Inc., 741 F.2d 144, 146 (7th Cir.1984). Vertical commonality exists where the "fortunes of the investor are interwoven with and dependent upon the efforts and success of those seeking the investment." Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The Seventh Circuit "strictly" adheres to the horizontal test, see id., but other circuits, like the Ninth, allow the plaintiff to show a common enterprise under either test. See, e.g., Fed. Trade Comm'n v. Net. Servs. Dep't, 617 F.3d 1127, 1142-43 (9th Cir.2010). In this case, which arises under the Court's diversity jurisdiction, the parties dispute the proper test for a common enterprise under Illinois law. The Illinois Supreme Court does not appear to have spoken on the issue.
Under the circumstances of this case, the Court concludes that Illinois courts would adhere exclusively to the test of horizontal commonality. This is the approach that the Seventh Circuit adopted in a case directly on point. In Wals v. Fox Hills Dev. Corp., 24 F.3d 1016 (7th Cir. 1994) (Posner, J.), the Seventh Circuit considered whether a condominium time-sharing purchase and rental agreement was an "investment contract" within the meaning of the Federal Securities Act of 1933. See id. at 1017. Under the agreement, the developer would "rent out temporarily unoccupied units as the agent of the owner," making the owner and developer "covertures in a profit-making activity." Id.
The court observed that this type of arrangement may be sufficient to establish vertical commonality under the law of some circuits, see id. at 1017-18, but not horizontal commonality, which requires "a pooling of interests not only between the developer [] and each individual `investor,' but also among the `investors' (the owners of the condominium, in this case)," id. at 1018. After surveying the available case law, the Seventh Circuit held that horizontal commonality "comports better" with the policies underlying the securities laws. Id. Although acknowledging the criticisms of horizontal commonality, the Seventh Circuit retorted that the securities laws seek to promote disclosure and this objective
Turning to the record, the court held that the "unusual form of the rental agreement did not convert the sale of the home into an investment contract." Id. at 1019. The owners' investment "was in a specific" apartment, with a unique price and characteristics; essentially, each unit was a "different product." Id. Even if the rental agreements were similar between units, that was not enough to show commonality because that "approach would provide insufficient guidance to developers." Id. The court also reasoned:
Id. at 1018.
The Wals decision is almost directly on point, and although it arises under federal law, its reasoning is persuasive and applies with equal force to claims arising Illinois securities law. Indeed, the Illinois Securities Law is "substantially similar" to the federal securities laws and so Illinois courts interpret the statute with an eye towards federal law. See, e.g., Shailja Gandhi Revocable Trust v. Sitara Cap. Mgmt., LLC, No. 09 C 3141, 2012 WL 3580680, at *7 (N.D.Ill. Aug. 14, 2012) ("The Illinois Securities Law must be interpreted consistently with the federal laws on which it is based."); Anderson v. Grand Bahama Dev. Co. Ltd., 67 Ill.App.3d 687, 24 Ill.Dec. 114, 384 N.E.2d 981 (Ill.App.Ct.1978) (relying on federal case law to determine whether an instrument was an investment contract under state and federal law). Even outside of the securities context, Illinois courts will not infrequently look to federal law, and specifically decisions from the Seventh Circuit, in considering analogous issues of state law.
Although, as Plaintiff points out, two decisions of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, allowed the plaintiff to proceed under either test — Integrated Res. Servs., Inc. v. Ill. Sec'y of State, Sec. Dep't., 328 Ill.App.3d 67, 262 Ill.Dec. 304, 765 N.E.2d 130 (Ill.App.Ct.2002) and Ronnett v. Am. Breeding Herds, Inc., 124 Ill.App.3d 842, 80 Ill.Dec. 218, 464 N.E.2d 1201 (Ill.App.Ct.1984) — those decisions have only limited persuasive and predictive value. See Hill v. Int'l Harvester Co., 798 F.2d 256, 261 n. 13 (7th Cir.1986) (stating that "an intermediate appellate court decision is not binding evidence of state law in circumstances when it is not a good predictor of what the state's highest court would do in a similar case").
Here, no reasonable jury could find that horizontal commonality exists. It is undisputed that "any net revenue from the rental of each HCU is paid directly to the owner of that particular HCU; there has never been any pooling of revenues." (R. 115 & 133, Stmnt. of Undisputed Facts ¶ 31.) See S.E.C. v. Lauer, 52 F.3d 667, 670 (7th Cir.1995). Although the jury could find that, at least initially, Defendants represented that HCU purchasers would own a common interest in certain revenue-generating functions of the hotel, this is a far cry from being "a shareholder in a corporation that owns" rental or commercial property. Cf. Wals, 24 F.3d at 1018. The owner "does not own an undivided share of the building complex in which [her] condominium is located," id., nor does the owner hold an interest in other units. She instead owns her specific unit and a common interest in certain enumerated common areas in a much larger building of which the HCU Condominium is only a part. (Prop. Rep. at 2 (noting that the Trump Tower additionally includes a residential condominium, a five-star luxury hotel, office and retail space, restaurant space, and garage property).) To the extent any common revenue was "pooled" — and Plaintiff does not even expressly make that argument — she has not shown that the revenue was anything more than an off-set of operational expenses, much less the fruits of an investment undertaking. (Cf. Prop. Rep., Ex. A, Decl. § 4.4 ("All income derived by the Association... shall be held and used for the benefit of the members").)
Ownership of common elements is true of every condominium development. The securities law "suggests that the term `investment contract' has the limited purpose of identifying unconventional instruments that have the essential properties of a debt or equity security." Wals, 24 F.3d at 1018. Plaintiff makes no attempt to show how common ownership in this case is so extraordinary that it falls within the "ordinary concept of a security." Johnson v. Nationwide Indus., Inc., 450 F.Supp. 948, 952-53 (N.D.Ill.1978) (quoting United Housing Found. v. Forman, 421 U.S. 837, 95 S.Ct. 2051, 44 L.Ed.2d 621 (1975)).
The Court grants Defendants' motion for summary judgment as to Count IV.
The Court now turns to the parties' breach of contract claims. In Count V, Plaintiff asserts a breach of contract claim against Defendant Wabash LLC. In Counterclaims I and II, Defendant Wabash LLC asserts two breach of contract claims against Plaintiff arising out of the respective Purchase Agreements. Defendant moves for summary judgment on each of these three claims.
Under Illinois law, a breach of contract claim requires the plaintiff to prove the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence: "`(1) the existence of a valid and enforceable contract; (2) substantial performance by the plaintiff; (3) a breach by the defendant; and (4) resultant damages.'" Reger Dev., LLC v. Nat'l City Bank, 592 F.3d 759, 764 (7th Cir.2010) (quoting W.W. Vincent & Co. v. First Colony Life Ins. Co., 351 Ill.App.3d 752, 286 Ill.Dec. 734, 814 N.E.2d 960, 967 (2004)); see also Wigod v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 673 F.3d 547, 560 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing Assoc. Benefit Serv. v. Caremark RX, Inc., 493 F.3d 841, 849 (7th Cir.2007); MC Baldwin Fin. Co. v. DiMaggio, Rosario & Veraja, LLC, 364 Ill.App.3d 6, 300 Ill.Dec. 601, 845 N.E.2d 22, 30 (Ill.App.Ct.2006)). Courts "do not look at any one contract provision in isolation; instead [they] read the document as a whole." Reger Dev., 592 F.3d at 764 (citing Martindell v. Lake Shore Nat'l Bank, 15 Ill.2d 272, 154 N.E.2d 683, 689 (1958)).
Plaintiff argues that Defendant breached its implied obligation of good faith regarding to Purchase Agreements by acting in a manner that was "arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to her reasonable expectations" as a party to the contract. (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 34); see also Bass v. SMG, Inc., 328 Ill.App.3d 492, 262 Ill.Dec. 471, 765 N.E.2d 1079 (Ill.App.Ct.2002) ("Illinois recognizes a `covenant of good faith and fair dealing' in every contract as a matter of law, absent an express disavowal.") (quoting Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. v. Van Matre, 158 Ill.App.3d 298, 308, 110 Ill.Dec. 563, 511 N.E.2d 740, 746 (1987)). The Seventh Circuit has explained that:
F.D.I.C. v. Rayman, 117 F.3d 994, 1000 (7th Cir.1997) (quoting Kham & Nate's Shoes No. 2, Inc. v. First Bank of Whiting, 908 F.2d 1351, 1357 (7th Cir.1990)).
Here, a reasonable jury could find that Defendant breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by deliberately failing to disclose material information, as described in detail above. Although Plaintiff agreed to permit Defendant to make changes in its "sole and absolute discretion," she never agreed — and the jury could find that she never contemplated — that Defendant would conceal, fail to disclose and/or misrepresent information material to the Purchase Agreements.
Accordingly, Defendants' motion for summary judgment on Count V is denied.
In its two counterclaims for breach of contract, Defendant Wabash
In moving for summary judgment, Defendant reasons that the Purchase Agreements are valid and enforceable; Defendant performed its obligations thereunder; Plaintiff breached by failing to close; and Defendant suffered damages. (R. 119, Defs.' Mem. at 29-31.) Plaintiff does not dispute that Defendant can prove the elements of its breach of contract claim, but instead argues that genuine issues of material fact exist on her affirmative defense of fraud, thus precluding summary judgment. (R. 138, Pl.'s Resp. at 36-37.) The Court agrees, for all of the reasons discussed above with regard to Counts I, II, and III of the Amended Complaint.
The Court denies Defendant Wabash LLC's motion for summary judgment on Count V of the Amended Complaint, and denies Defendant's motion for summary judgment on both of its Counterclaims.
For all of the reasons explained above, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is
• denied as to Counts I, II, III, and V of the Amended Complaint;
• granted as to Counts IV of the Amended Complaint; and
• denied as to Counts I and II of the Counterclaims.
