Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. v. Estate of Schoenberg , 105 N.E.3d 80 ( 2018 )

2018 IL App (1st) 160871
FIRST DIVISION
March 26, 2018
No. 1-16-0871
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIRST DISTRICT
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, )
Appeal from the
as Trustee for Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-9, )
Circuit Court of
)
Cook County
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
)
v. )
)
THE ESTATE OF VINCENT SCHOENBERG; )
MIDWEST BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as )
Trustee u/t/a Dated January 18, 1979 and known as Trust )
Number 79-01-2857; NORTH BANK; UNIVERSITY )
PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; VINCENT ) No. 09 CH 7591
G. SCHOENBERG a/k/a VINCENT G. SCHOENBERG )
III; EMILY SCHOENBERG; UNKNOWN )
BENEFICIARIES OF THE MIDWEST BANK AND )
TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee u/t/a Dated January 18, )
1979 and known as Trust Number 79-01-2857; )
UNKNOWN HEIRS and LEGATEES OF THE )
ESTATE OF VINCENT SCHOENBERG; UNKNOWN )
OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, )
)
Defendants )
)
(Midwest Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee u/t/a ) The Honorable
Dated January18, 1979 and known as Trust Number 79- ) Michael T. Mullen,
01-2857, Defendant-Appellant). ) Judge Presiding.
PRESIDING JUSTICE PIERCE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Harris and Mikva concurred in the judgment and opinion.
No. 1-16-0871
OPINION
¶1 This appeal arises out of a mortgage foreclosure action. Defendant Midwest Bank and
Trust Co., as Trustee u/t/a Dated January 18, 1979 and known as Trust Number 79-01-2857
(Midwest) appeals from the Cook County circuit court’s orders (1) granting summary judgment
in favor of plaintiff Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., as Trustee for Long Beach Mortgage
Loan Trust 2006-9 (Deutsche Bank), (2) entering a judgment of foreclosure and sale,
(3) dismissing Midwest’s affirmative defenses, and (4) entering an order approving the report of
sale and distribution. On appeal, Midwest contends that (1) the circuit court lacked subject matter
jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction, (2) Deutsche Bank was not the proper party plaintiff,
(3) Deutsche Bank failed to comply with the circuit court’s order for reinstatement after
Deutsche Bank voluntarily dismissed its complaint, (4) the circuit court erred in granting
Deutsche Bank’s motions for summary judgment and to dismiss Midwest’s affirmative defenses,
and (5) the circuit court erred by granting Deutsche Bank’s motion to confirm the report of sale
and distribution, approve the judicial sale of the property, and for an order of possession. We
find no error and affirm.
¶2 BACKGROUND
¶3 In August 2006, Vincent G. Schoenberg executed a promissory note payable to 21st
Century Mortgage Bankers (21st Century) secured by a mortgage on two condominium units
located at 1451 East 55th Street, Chicago, Illinois (the property). Vincent was the sole borrower
and mortgagor identified the mortgage. 1 The mortgage identified 21st Century as the “Lender”
and Mortgage Electronic Registrations Systems, Inc. (MERS) as the mortgagee. The mortgage
further provided that MERS was acting “solely as a nominee for Lender and Lender’s successors
1
The mortgage was also executed by Brenda L. Schoenberg “for the sole purpose of waiving
homestead rights.”
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and assigns.” In September 2006, Vincent executed a “Warranty Deed in Trust” that conveyed
his interest in the property to an Illinois land trust with Midwest acting as trustee. In December
2008, Vincent died.
¶4 On February 17, 2009, Deutsche Bank filed a mortgage foreclosure complaint against
Vincent and Midwest. 2 Attached to the complaint were copies of the mortgage and note executed
by Vincent. Also attached to the complaint was an allonge executed by 21st Century specially
indorsing the note to Washington Mutual Bank, as well as a separate page bearing a blank
indorsement by Washington Mutual Bank. An attorney filed an appearance on behalf of Vincent
and Midwest. On August 17, 2009, the circuit court entered an order dismissing Deutsche Bank’s
complaint pursuant to section 2-1009 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-1009
(West 2008)), “with leave to reinstate upon [m]otion supported by [a]ffidavit, filed and presented
within one *** year of this dismissal, if [d]efendant(s) default on the loan modification,
repayment plan, or other settlement agreement.”
¶5 Deutsche Bank moved to reinstate the foreclosure action on July 28, 2010. The motion
stated that defendants were being evaluated for loss mitigation eligibility by the loan servicer in
March 2009 but that defendants failed to submit the proper documentation and that Deutsche
Bank wished to proceed with the foreclosure. The motion was supported by an affidavit. The
attorney who previously filed an appearance on behalf of Vincent and Midwest responded to the
motion to reinstate and moved for summary judgment, arguing that Deutsche Bank lacked
standing. No mention was made of Vincent’s death. The circuit court denied the motion for
summary judgment and granted Deutsche Bank’s motion to reinstate.
2
North Bank, University Park Condominium Association, and unknown owners and non-record
claimaints were also named as defendants.
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¶6 On October 31, 2013, Midwest moved to dismiss Deutsche Bank’s complaint. Midwest
argued that Deutsche Bank lacked standing and that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction because
Vincent was deceased. Deutsche Bank filed a response to Midwest’s motion to dismiss and filed
a motion to appoint a special representative for Vincent. On December 9, 2013, the circuit court
denied Midwest’s motion to dismiss and appointed Cary Rosenthal as special representative for
Vincent. Rosenthal filed a report on April 29, 2014, reflecting that Vincent was deceased and
that the special representative gave notice of the action to Vincent’s wife Brenda and son
Vincent Jr., both of whom were purportedly living in the property.
¶7 On July 22, 2014, the circuit court granted Deutsche Bank’s motion to approve
Rosenthal’s report and Deutsche Bank’s motion for leave to file a first amended complaint
naming “The Estate of Vincent Schoenberg” as a defendant, along with Brenda and Vincent Jr.
On November 19, 2014, Deutsche Bank was granted leave to file a second amended complaint
removing Brenda as a defendant because she was deceased and adding as defendants Emily
Schoenberg and unknown beneficiaries of the Midwest trust. Attached to the second amended
complaint were the mortgage, note, and allonge, along with an assignment of mortgage recorded
by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds on March 9, 2009, reflecting that MERS as nominee for
21st Century assigned the mortgage to Deutsche Bank. The assignment of mortgage stated, “This
instrument serves to memorialize the transfer of this loan which has previously taken place.”
¶8 Midwest moved to dismiss the second amended complaint. Midwest argued that 21st
Century was dissolved on May 8, 2008, and that any action it took after that date “is of no effect
and is void.” Midwest argued that Deutsche Bank lacked standing and that the circuit court
lacked jurisdiction because Vincent was a necessary party, he was deceased, and there was no
appointed special representative. Midwest further argued that Deutsche Bank had not complied
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with section 13-209(c) of the Code (735 ILCS 5/13-209(c) (West 2014)), because it failed to
have a personal representative appointed. The circuit court denied Midwest’s motion to dismiss
and ordered Midwest to answer the complaint. Midwest’s answer denied all of the allegations in
Deutsche Bank’s complaint and asserted a 74-paragrah affirmative defense restating the
substance of Midwest’s motion to dismiss.
¶9 Deutsche Bank moved for summary judgment on its second amended complaint and
moved to dismiss Midwest’s affirmative defense. On September 3, 2015, the circuit court set a
briefing schedule on the motions. 3 The scheduling order reflected that counsel for Midwest was
present in court on that date and was granted until October 1, 2015, to respond to Deutsche
Bank’s motions. A hearing was scheduled for October 28, 2015. On October 26, 2015, Midwest
filed a “Notice of Motion” that it would appear on October 28, 2015, “and then and there present
and move in accordance with [d]efendant’s [a]nswer” to Deutsche Bank’s motions. The only
filing that accompanied the notice of motion was Midwest’s 25-page “answer” to Deutsche
Bank’s motions.
¶ 10 On October 28, 2015, the circuit court (1) granted summary judgment in favor of
Deutsche Bank on its second amended complaint, (2) dismissed Midwest’s affirmative defense
with prejudice, (3) entered a judgment of foreclosure and sale in favor of Deutsche Bank,
(4) appointed a selling officer, (5) granted Deutsche Bank’s oral motion to dismiss the Estate of
Vincent Schoenberg as a defendant, (6) denied Midwest’s “motion/answer” to Deutsche Bank’s
motions, and (7) denied Midwest’s oral motion for a finding pursuant Supreme Court Rule
304(a) (eff. Feb. 26, 2010).
3
The circuit court’s briefing schedule order provided that briefs were limited to 15 pages and that
the circuit court would not consider requests for extensions of time made on the hearing date.
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¶ 11 The property was sold at a judicial sale on January 29, 2016, and Deutsche Bank was the
successful bidder at the sale. Deutsche Bank then filed a motion for orders approving the report
of sale and distribution, confirming the judicial sale, and for possession. On February 26, 2016,
Midwest filed a “Motion in Accordance with 735 ILCS 1508 [sic] and Supreme Court Rule
113(i).” Midwest again asserted the circuit court lacked jurisdiction because Vincent was
deceased, that a mortgagor is a necessary party and no special representative had been appointed,
and that Deutsche Bank lacked standing. The circuit court set both parties’ motions for a hearing.
At that hearing, the circuit court made it clear that it was considering Midwest’s motion as a
response Deutsche Bank’s motion for confirmation of the judicial sale. On March 3, 2016, the
circuit court heard oral argument on the motions and granted Deutsche Bank’s motion for an
order approving the report of sale and distribution, confirming the judicial sale, and for
possession. Midwest’s motion was denied.
¶ 12 On March 29, 2016, Midwest filed a notice of appeal from the circuit court’s October 28,
2015, judgment and dismissal orders, and the March 3, 2016, order confirming the judicial sale.
¶ 13 ANALYSIS
¶ 14 On appeal, Midwest argues that (1) the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction
because Vincent was the mortgagor and therefore a necessary party, but that the second amended
complaint failed to name a special representative for Vincent, (2) the circuit court lacked
personal jurisdiction because neither Vincent nor a special representative was served with a
summons or complaint, (3) Deutsche Bank was not the proper party plaintiff, (4) Deutsche Bank
failed to comply with the circuit court’s August 17, 2009, order for reinstating the foreclosure
action, (5) Deutsche Bank’s motion for summary judgment should have been denied,
(6) Midwest’s affirmative defense should not have been dismissed, and (7) Midwest’s “Motion
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No. 1-16-0871
in Accordance with 735 ILCS 1508 [sic] and Supreme Court Rule 113(i)” should not have been
denied.
¶ 15 Midwest’s first argument is that the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction
because Vincent was deceased at the time Deutsche Bank initiated this action in February 2009
and that Deutsche Bank failed to appoint a special representative for Vincent in the second
amended complaint. Midwest contends that a suit against a dead person is a nullity and that it
does not confer the circuit court with subject matter jurisdiction. Midwest relies on ABN AMRO
Mortgage Group, Inc. v. McGahan, 237 Ill. 2d 526 (2010) to argue that when a mortgagor is
deceased, the circuit court must appoint a special representative. Midwest further relies on
Supreme Court Rule 113(i) (eff. May 1, 2013), which provides that where a mortgagor is
deceased and no estate has been opened, the circuit court “shall *** appoint a special
representative to stand in the place of the deceased mortgagor(s) who shall act in a manner
similar to that provided by section 13-209 of the [Code] (735 ILCS 5/13-209 [(West 2012)]).”
Midwest argues that Deutsche Bank knew sometime in July 2012 that Vincent was deceased but
did not file an amended complaint until August 2014, which added “The Estate of Vincent
Schoenberg” as a defendant, but then Deutsche Bank never attempted to serve the estate. Finally,
Midwest contends that Deutsche Bank failed to comply with section 13-209(c) of the Code
because it did not act with any diligence in dismissing Vincent and appointing a special
representative.
¶ 16 We find Midwest’s arguments unpersuasive and conclude that Deutsche Bank’s
complaint conferred subject matter jurisdiction on the circuit court. Subject matter jurisdiction
refers to the circuit court’s “power to hear and to determine cases of the general class to which
the proceeding in question belongs.” Urban Partnership Bank v. Chicago Title Land Trust Co.,
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2017 IL App (1st) 162086, ¶ 12. The Illinois Constitution provides that “Circuit Courts shall
have original jurisdiction of all justiciable matters” except for two exceptions not present here.
Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, § 9. “Generally, a justiciable matter is a controversy appropriate for
review by the [circuit] court, in that it is definite and concrete, as opposed to hypothetical or
moot, touching upon the legal relationship of parties having adverse legal interests.” Urban
Partnership Bank, 2017 IL App (1st) 162086, ¶ 12. Generally speaking, mortgage foreclosure
cases fall squarely within the circuit court’s subject matter jurisdiction. Neighborhood Lending
Services, Inc. v. Callahan, 2017 IL App (1st) 162585, ¶ 20.
¶ 17 First, Midwest’s relies on McGahan for the general proposition that a mortgagor is a
necessary party to a foreclosure action. In McGahan, our supreme court held that a mortgage
foreclosure action is a quasi in rem proceeding and that a mortgagee seeking to foreclose on a
mortgage must proceed against a party, not just the mortgaged property. McGahan, 237 Ill. 2d at
535. The court explained that:
“the mortgagor, the person whose interest in the real estate is the subject of the
mortgage, is a necessary party defendant to the foreclosure proceedings. 735
ILCS 5/15-1501(a)(i) (West 2004); Lane v. Erskine, 13 Ill. 501, 503-04 (1851)
(mortgagor is an indispensable party in a foreclosure action). As such, the
proceeding must be brought against a named party and a foreclosure action must
be a quasi in rem action. [Citation.]” McGahan, 237 Ill. 2d at 535-36.
¶ 18 McGahan, however, involved a situation where the deceased mortgagor held an interest
in the property at the time of her death. Id. at 528. The court, therefore, had no occasion to
consider whether a special representative is necessary where the mortgagor no longer holds an
interest in the property at the time of his death or where the mortgagor’s interest in the property
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No. 1-16-0871
has fully passed to another person or entity. Here, Vincent transferred his interest in the property
to a land trust prior to his death. “In an Illinois land trust, both legal and equitable title to real
property rests in the trustee, while the interest of the beneficiary of the trust is personal
property.” Urban Partnership Bank, 2017 IL App (1st) 162086, ¶ 19. Beneficiaries of a land
trust are permissible parties, not necessary parties, to a mortgage foreclosure action. Id. ¶ 20; 735
ILCS 5/15-1501(b)(3) (West 2016). Vincent relinquished his legal and equitable interests in the
property prior to his death by conveying his interest to a land trust, of which he was a
beneficiary. He was therefore a permissible party to the foreclosure action and whether he was
named as a defendant had no bearing on the circuit court’s subject matter jurisdiction. See 735
ILCS 5/15-1501(a) (West 2016) (“The [circuit] court may proceed to adjudicate [the interests the
necessary parties], but any disposition of the mortgaged real estate shall be subject to (i) the
interests of all other persons not made a party or (ii) interests in the mortgaged real estate not
otherwise barred or terminated in the foreclosure.”). The Second District reached a similar
conclusion in an unpublished order affirming the dismissal of a section 2-1401 petition,
concluding in part that no special representative was necessary for a mortgagor who held no
interest in the property at the time of her death. See Wachovia Mortgage FSB v. Stoller, 2016 IL
App (2d) 150645-U, ¶ 32. Midwest’s argument that the failure to appoint a special representative
deprived the circuit court of subject matter jurisdiction fails because Vincent was a permissible
rather than a necessary party to the foreclosure action.
¶ 19 Furthermore, while this matter was pending in the circuit court, our legislature enacted
Public Act 99-25 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016). Section 5 of Public Act 99-25 amended section 15-1501(h)
of the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law (Foreclosure Law) (735 ILCS 5/15-1501(h) (West
2016)), to provide that the circuit court is not required to appoint a special representative for a
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deceased mortgagor if there is a trust that was conveyed title to the property by the deceased
mortgagor prior to death. Pub. Act. 99-25 § 5 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016) (adding 735 ILCS 5/15­
1501(h)(1)-(5)). We conclude that the legislative amendment to section 15-1501(h) of the
Foreclosure Law is retroactively applicable to this case.
¶ 20 To determine whether a statute applies retroactively, we follow the approach set forth by
the Supreme Court in Landgraf v. USI Film Products, 511 U.S. 244 (1994). See Commonwealth
Edison Co. v. Will County Collector, 196 Ill. 2d 27, 37-39 (2001). We first determine whether
our legislature prescribed the amended statute’s temporal reach. Allegis Realty Investors v.
Novak, 223 Ill. 2d 318, 330 (2006). If so, we apply the amendment retroactively. If the
legislature did not prescribe the temporal reach of the amended statute, section 4 of the Statute of
Statutes (5 ILCS 70/4 (West 2016)) supplies the default rule that amendments “that are
procedural in nature may be applied retroactively, while those that are substantive may not.”
Allegis, 233 Ill. 2d at 331. A change in the law is substantive if it creates, defines, or regulates
rights, whereas a change is procedural if it regulates the machinery for carrying on a suit or
proceeding. See GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. v. Poniewozik, 2014 IL App (1st) 132864,
¶ 18.
¶ 21 Here, the amendment to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law is procedural because
it regulates the process by which a mortgagee forecloses on a mortgage where a deceased
mortgagor either had no interest in the property at the time of their death or the interest has fully
passed to another person or entity. The amendment does not create, define, or regulate the rights
of the parties to a foreclosure action, but instead provides for the orderly adjudication of existing
rights and remedies. The amendment does not modify the mortgagee’s rights with respect to the
foreclosure action, and has no bearing on the deceased mortgagor’s former property rights. In
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other words, the amendment to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law regulates the
foreclosure proceedings by providing that the circuit court need not appoint a special
representative when the property rights that would be protected by such appointment already
belong to a person or entity capable of being sued. A special representative is not necessary
when the deceased mortgagor no longer has any interest in need of protection because the
mortgagee can proceed directly against the person or entity holding the decedent’s former
property interest. This amendment does not create, define, or regulate any rights of the parties to
the action, but instead regulates the procedural question of when a special representative must be
appointed. The amendment to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law is procedural and may
be applied retroactively.
¶ 22 The amendment to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law complements rather than
conflicts with Supreme Court Rule 113(i). The committee comments to Rule 113 state,
“Paragraph (i) addresses the issue of a deceased mortgagor and the subject matter jurisdiction
issues addressed in ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc. v. McGahan, 237 Ill. 2d 526 (2010),
which have not been specifically addressed by remedial legislation.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 113,
Committee Comments (adopted Feb. 22, 2013). As discussed above, McGahan only addressed
the situation where the mortgagor is fully possessed of an interest in the property at the time of
her death. The legislative amendments to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law address
issues not contemplated by either McGahan or Rule 113(i). Therefore, we see no reason why the
amendments to section 15-1501(h) of the Foreclosure Law should not be applied retroactively.
¶ 23 Here, it was undisputed that Vincent did not have any interest in the property at the time
of his death because he had transferred his interest to a land trust. The circuit court was not
required to appoint a special representative for Vincent since Midwest—the entity with legal and
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equitable title to the property—was a named defendant. The circuit court therefore had subject
matter jurisdiction over Deutsche Bank’s complaint to foreclose on the mortgage.
¶ 24 Next, Midwest argues that the circuit court lacked personal jurisdiction because neither
Vincent nor a special representative was served a summons or complaint. However, the circuit
court could never obtain personal jurisdiction over Vincent because he was deceased.
Furthermore, as we discussed, no special representative was required and thus any failure to
obtain personal jurisdiction over the special representative would have no bearing on the validity
of the circuit court’s judgments.
¶ 25 Midwest next argues that Deutsche Bank was not a proper party plaintiff because no
allegations in the second amended complaint connect Deutsche Bank to the mortgage and note.
Deutsche Bank attached to the second amended complaint (1) a copy of the mortgage identifying
MERS, as nominee for 21st Century, as the mortgagee, (2) a copy of the indorsed note, (3) an
“Assignment of Real Estate Mortgage” transferring “all right, title, and interest in and to a
certain mortgage executed by Vincent G. Schoenberg” to “Deutsche Bank National Trust
Company,” and (4) an undated allonge indorsing the promissory note from 21st Century to
Washington Mutual Bank. Midwest asserts that 21st Century was dissolved on May 8, 2008, and
therefore could not have effectuated any transfers. Furthermore, Midwest argues that the second
amended complaint contained no allegations referencing Deutsche Bank, and that the exhibits to
the complaint “have no allegations explaining their import.” Midwest concludes that Deutsche
Bank “is not an entity that is capable of having a judgment rendered in its favor. Therefore, the
judgment is void.”
¶ 26 Midwest fails to cite any authority in support of these arguments, in violation of Supreme
Court Rule 341(h)(7) (eff. Jan. 1, 2016), which results in forfeiture. Forfeiture aside, Midwest’s
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position is contrary to well-settled law. Midwest’s argument is essentially that Deutsche Bank
lacked standing to pursue the foreclosure action. This court has regularly stated that standing is
an affirmative defense that a defendant must plead and prove. Bank of America v. Adeyiga, 2014
IL App (1st) 131252, ¶ 61. Here, Midwest’s affirmative defense asserted in part that Deutsche
Bank lacked standing. The circuit court struck that pleading with prejudice. Midwest fails to
assert a coherent argument as to whether it properly pleaded an affirmative defense of standing
and fails to point to any evidence in the record to establish any question of fact regarding
Deutsche Bank’s standing. These omissions also result in forfeiture. Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7).
¶ 27 Regardless, the record is clear that Deutsche Bank attached to its complaint a copy of the
note and allonge reflecting that 21st Century specially indorsed the note to Washington Mutual
and that Washington Mutual indorsed the note in blank. A promissory note is an unconditional
promise to pay a fixed amount of money and is payable to bearer or to order at the time it is
issued or first comes into possession of a holder. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Rowe, 2015 IL App
(3d) 140553, ¶ 21. “If an indorsement is made by the holder of an instrument and it is not a
special indorsement, it is a ‘blank indorsement’. When indorsed in blank, an instrument becomes
payable to bearer.” 810 ILCS 5/3-205(b) (West 2016). It is wellsettled that “possession of bearer
paper is prima facie evidence of title thereto” and is sufficient “to entitle the plaintiff to a decree
of foreclosure.” Joslyn v. Joslyn, 386 Ill. 387, 395 (1944). The mere fact that a copy of the note
is attached to the complaint is itself prima facie evidence that the plaintiff owns the note.
Parkway Bank & Trust Co. v. Korzen, 2013 IL App (1st) 130380, ¶ 24. As the legal holder of the
note, Deutsche Bank was entitled to pursue the foreclosure action. Mortgage Electronic
Registration Systems, Inc. v. Barnes, 406 Ill. App. 3d 1, 7 (2010).
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¶ 28 Here, Deutsche Bank attached a copy of the note to each iteration of its complaint. By
attaching copies of the mortgage, note, allonge, and assignment of mortgage, Deutsche Bank
presented prima facie evidence that it owned the note and that it had the right to pursue a
foreclosure action against Midwest. Midwest failed to present any contrary evidence that might
call into question whether Deutsche Bank had standing. We therefore reject Midwest’s argument
that Deutsche Bank was not the proper party plaintiff and we conclude that Deutsche Bank had
standing to pursue the foreclosure action. Furthermore, our discussion shows that the circuit
court’s dismissal of Midwest’s affirmative defense of standing was proper, and is therefore
affirmed.
¶ 29 Midwest next contends that Deutsche Bank failed to comply with the circuit court’s
August 17, 2009, order dismissing the foreclosure action with leave to reinstate. Midwest failed
to include this order in its notice of appeal, but we have jurisdiction to consider it because the
reinstatement order was a step in the procedural progression leading to the judgments identified
in the notice of appeal. CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Hoeft, 2015 IL App (1st) 150459, ¶ 8. But while we
have jurisdiction to consider the reinstatement order, we find that Midwest forfeited its
argument. Midwest argues for the first time on appeal that Deutsche Bank’s motion for
reinstatement and accompanying affidavit contained false information. However, in the circuit
court, Midwest’s sole response to the motion to reinstate was that Deutsche Bank lacked
standing to pursue the foreclosure action. Arguments not raised in the circuit court are forfeited
on appeal. In re Marriage of Minear, 181 Ill. 2d 552, 564 (1998). Additionally, Midwest fails to
cite any authority in support of its argument, in violation of Rule 341(h)(7). Finally, Midwest
fails to assert that the circuit court abused its discretion in reinstating the foreclosure within one
year of the original dismissal. See Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. JS II, LLC, 2012 IL App (1st)
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063420, ¶ 92 (“[T]he decision to vacate [a] dismissal order is at the discretion of the trial court,
which triggers a review for an abuse of discretion.”). Midwest’s attempt to raise an argument for
the first time on appeal and its failure to develop an argument with citations to authority results
in forfeiture. We have no basis from which to conclude that the circuit court abused its discretion
by reinstating the foreclosure and therefore affirm the circuit court’s reinstatement order.
¶ 30 Midwest next argues that the circuit court erred by granting summary judgment in favor
of Deutsche Bank. Midwest did not respond to the Deutsche Bank’s motion for summary
judgment. Furthermore, Midwest makes no argument that the circuit court abused its discretion
by denying Midwest the opportunity to file a late response to the motion. We have already
disposed of Midwest’s arguments regarding jurisdiction and standing, and therefore have no
basis from which to conclude that there was a genuine issue of material fact to preclude entry of
judgment in favor Deutsche Bank. The circuit court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of
Deutsche Bank is affirmed.
¶ 31 Finally, Midwest argues that the circuit court erred by confirming the judicial sale. The
only argument Midwest advances is that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction and that
confirmation of sale should have be denied under section 15-1508(b)(iv) of the Foreclosure Law
(735 ILCS 5/15-1508(b)(iv) (West 2016)). Under section 15-1508 of the Foreclosure Law, the
circuit court must confirm a judicial sale unless the circuit court finds that “(i) a notice required
in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 15-1507 was not given, (ii) the terms of sale were
unconscionable, (iii) the sale was conducted fraudulently, or (iv) justice was otherwise not
done.” 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(b) (West 2016). We have already concluded that the circuit court
had subject matter jurisdiction, and Midwest fails to identify any other basis that might preclude
the entry of an order confirming the judicial sale. We therefore find no error and affirm the
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circuit court’s orderapproving the report of sale and distribution, confirming the judicial sale, and
granting possession in favor of Deutsche Bank.
¶ 32 CONCLUSION
¶ 33 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
¶ 34 Affirmed.
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