Lavite v. Dunstan

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Appellate Court Date: 2016.09.26
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Lavite v. Dunstan, 2016 IL App (5th) 150401Appellate Court BRADLEY A. LAVITE, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance
Caption Commission of Madison County, Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellant, v.
ALAN J. DUNSTAN, Chairman of the Madison County Board;
JOSEPH D. PARENTE, County Administrator of Madison County,
Illinois; THE MADISON COUNTY BOARD; and JOHN D. LAKIN,
Sheriff of Madison County, Illinois, Defendants-Appellees.
District & No. Fifth District
Docket No. 5-15-0401
Filed August 5, 2016
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Madison County, No. 15-MR-145;
Review the Hon. Stephen A. Stobbs, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded with instructions.
Counsel on Thomas W. Burkart and Karen D. Burkart, both of Burkart Law
Appeal Offices, of Hamel, for appellant.
John L. Gilbert and Timothy C. Sansone, both of Sandberg, Phoenix &
von Gontard, P.C., of St. Louis, Missouri, for appellees Alan J.
Dunstan, Madison County Board, and Joseph D. Parente.
Heidi L. Eckert, of Lowenbaum Law, of Clayton, Missouri, for
appellee John D. Lakin.
Panel JUSTICE CATES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Chapman and Stewart concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 This appeal is brought by Bradley A. Lavite, in his capacity as superintendent of the
Veterans Assistance Commission of Madison County, Illinois, from an order dismissing his
three-count complaint with prejudice. Lavite filed an action against the named defendants for a
writ of mandamus, claiming, in count I, that the defendants had no authority to keep him from
entering his office located in the Madison County Administration building. In count II, Lavite
requested that the Madison County Board issue checks for his salary as superintendent of the
Veterans Assistance Commission of Madison County, Illinois. Count III sought payment of
the attorney fee invoices submitted for Lavite’s legal representation.
¶2 FACTS
¶3 This litigation arises under various provisions of the Military Veterans Assistance Act
(Act) (330 ILCS 45/0.01 et seq. (West 2014)). The purpose of this Act is to provide monetary
assistance to honorably discharged military veterans, their families, and the families of
deceased veterans. 330 ILCS 45/2 (West 2014). The Act requires, whenever practicable, that
all efforts be made to allow military veterans with families and the families of deceased
veterans to be provided for and assisted at their homes. 330 ILCS 45/6 (West 2014). In the
event that the veteran does not have a home or family, the Act allows for alternative assistance
in order to aid the veteran in need.
¶4 In order to administer the assistance as mandated, the Act authorizes the organization of a
central assistance committee in counties where there are more than two posts, camps, chapters,
or detachments of military veterans. This committee is known as the Veterans Assistance
Commission (VAC) for the county involved. 330 ILCS 45/2 (West 2014). It is undisputed that
Madison County has two or more posts, camps, chapters, or detachments of military
organizations chartered by the Congress of the United States. Thus, in accordance with the Act,
a VAC had been formed for Madison County, formally referred to as the Veterans Assistance
Commission of Madison County, Illinois (Madison VAC). The Madison VAC is composed of
one delegate and one alternate from each of the posts, camps, units, and chapters located in
Madison County (County).
¶5 The Act also designates an individual, referred to as the superintendent, to act on behalf of
the VAC. Pursuant to section 10 of the Act, “[t]he executive powers of the commission shall be
vested in a superintendent elected by the commission from among those who served in the
armed forces of the United States.” 330 ILCS 45/10 (West 2014). The VAC’s superintendent
and employees are not considered employees of the county, and they are exempt from the
provisions of civil service acts and laws of the state. 330 ILCS 45/10 (West 2014).
¶6 Under the circumstances herein, the Madison County Board (Board) is the unit of
government responsible for providing such sums of money as may be “just and necessary” to
carry out the mandate of the Act. 330 ILCS 45/2 (West 2014). The process is fairly simple. The
Madison VAC submits a proposed budget setting forth the amount of money it deems “just and
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necessary,” and the Board makes the final decision as to the funds to be expended. Makowicz v.
County of Macon, 78 Ill. 2d 308, 399 N.E.2d 1302 (1980). Where the county board fails to
appropriate the “just and necessary” amounts required for the veteran benefits, the Act allows
the superintendent to seek a writ of mandamus against the county board for the appropriation
of the necessary funding. 330 ILCS 45/2 (West 2014). Once appropriated, the decision
regarding how the monies are spent to implement the support for eligible veterans is made
based upon the recommendations of an assistance committee within the VAC, and the
superintendent draws such funds. 330 ILCS 45/2 (West 2014).
¶7 The Act further provides that in addition to those sums appropriated for the aid to veterans,
the VAC shall recommend to the county board the necessary amounts of additional monies
needed to properly compensate the VAC officers and employees required to administer the
assistance. 330 ILCS 45/10 (West 2014). Here, there is no dispute that the Madison VAC
submitted a proposed budget to the Board and that the Board had approved monies to fund both
the assistance for veterans and the employee compensation. Specifically, by ordinance No.
2014-07, the Board approved and allocated the sum of $505,035 to the Madison VAC for the
fiscal year 2015. This appropriation incorporated monies for services and supplies, as well as
for funding for the employee payroll, which included Lavite’s salary as superintendent.
¶8 The Act also requires that the Board provide the Madison VAC with an office and all
necessary supplies. 330 ILCS 45/10 (West 2014). With regard, specifically, to the VAC office,
the Act sets forth this obligation as follows:
“The superintendent, designated Superintendent of Veterans Assistance of the county,
shall, under the direction of the commission, have charge of and maintain an office in
the county building or other central location, to be used solely by the commission for
carrying on its assistance work. The county shall provide the office and furnish all
necessary supplies, including telephone, printing, stationery and postage therefor.” 330
ILCS 45/10 (West 2014).
There is no dispute that as of March 12, 2015, the plaintiff, Bradley A. Lavite, had been serving
as the duly elected superintendent of the Madison VAC. It is also undisputed that as of that
date, the Board had designated an office for the Madison VAC in the Madison County
Administration building.
¶9 On June 12, 2015, Lavite filed a verified, three-count complaint in mandamus. He filed the
cause of action in his capacity as the superintendent of the Madison VAC. He did not include
the Madison VAC as a named plaintiff or a nominal party to the proceeding. Lavite named as
defendants Alan J. Dunstan, chairman of the Madison County Board; Joseph D. Parente,
county administrator of Madison County; the Madison County Board; and John D. Lakin,
sheriff of Madison County.
¶ 10 In count I of his complaint, Lavite sought a writ ordering the defendants to allow him
access to the Madison VAC office located in the administration building. In particular, Lavite
alleged that on March 12, 2015, he experienced a medical emergency requiring his
hospitalization at the St. Louis Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Jefferson Barracks,
Missouri. He was admitted under the medical care of Dr. Jane Loitman, a psychiatrist with
whom he had been treating for some period of time. Several days later, on March 18, 2015, Dr.
Loitman issued a letter indicating that Lavite could return to work on March 23, 2015, without
restrictions. A copy of Dr. Loitman’s letter was attached to the plaintiff’s complaint as exhibit
B.
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¶ 11 On March 20, 2015, defendant Joseph D. Parente, in his official capacity as the county
administrator for Madison County, issued a letter directed to Bradley A. Lavite at his home
address. That letter indicated, “Per our telephone conversation this morning, please be advised
that until further notice, you are not permitted to enter the Madison County Administration
Building.” A copy of the Parente letter was attached to Lavite’s complaint as exhibit A. No
details were provided regarding the content of the telephone conversation referred to in the
letter, and no reasons were given for the decision to deny Lavite access to the administration
building. Nevertheless, denying Lavite entry to the building meant that Lavite could not access
the Madison VAC office located therein. Therefore, as the Madison VAC superintendent,
Lavite asked the court to order the defendants to provide him access to his office, located in the
administration building.
¶ 12 In count II, Lavite sought payment of his superintendent’s salary, alleging that the
defendants had advised they would not process the payroll requests for his salary. In count III,
Lavite alleged that the Madison VAC had authorized the hiring of an attorney to represent
Lavite and that the Board had refused payment of the attorney fee invoices. The Madison VAC
resolution to hire an attorney for Lavite, dated April 10, 2015, was attached to Lavite’s
complaint as exhibit E. Therefore, Lavite sought a writ requiring the Board to pay the attorney
fee bill from the Madison VAC funds.
¶ 13 Counsel for the defendants filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to sections 2-615 and 2-619
of the Code of Civil Procedure (Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-615, 2-619 (West 2014)). With regard to
count I, the defendants generally claimed that the plaintiff’s complaint failed to state a cause of
action for mandamus and that mandamus was not available as a remedy for the plaintiff. The
defendants alleged that Parente’s decision to deny Lavite the right of entry to the
administration building was done pursuant to Parente’s duty to ensure the safety of the public.
Therefore, the defendants claimed that the action taken was a discretionary act, made in
Parente’s role as the Madison County administrator. Inasmuch as the action was discretionary,
the defendants averred that mandamus was inappropriate.
¶ 14 With regard to count II, the defendants argued that payment of Lavite’s salary was
determined by the Madison VAC, not the Board. Attached to the defendants’ motion to dismiss
was an affidavit, executed by Parente, which indicated, “The County has not and will not fail
or refuse to pay Plaintiff’s salary so long as the Veteran’s Assistance Commission has
sufficient funds to pay the Superintendent’s salary and forwards a proper payroll request to the
County.” In light of the fact that the defendants conceded that Lavite would continue to receive
his salary, the defendants claimed count II was moot, and should be dismissed.
¶ 15 Finally, as to count III, the defendants first claimed that Lavite did not have standing to
raise the issue regarding payment of attorney fees, as that claim belonged solely to the Madison
VAC, which had not been named as a party to the action. The defendants admitted, however,
that the Madison VAC could pay its attorney fees “under proper circumstances.” Citing section
9 of the Act (330 ILCS 45/9 (West 2014)), the defendants argued that chapter 34.02 of the
Madison County Board Ordinances required that the County Finance and Government
Operations Committee be responsible for approving “purchases greater than $5,000.00 and up
to $30,000.00.” Further, the defendants claimed that the Madison VAC was subject to the
County’s competitive purchasing ordinance. Therefore, because the Madison VAC had not
complied with the requisite County ordinances, neither Lavite nor the Madison VAC was
entitled to the relief requested.
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¶ 16 On August 25, 2015, Lavite filed a memorandum in opposition to the defendants’ motion
to dismiss. The first paragraph of that memorandum pointed out that the defendants’ motion
failed to comply with section 2-619.1 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-619.1 (West 2014)). The
remainder of Lavite’s memorandum defended each count of his complaint in mandamus.
¶ 17 On August 26, 2015, the court held a hearing on the defendants’ motion to dismiss. At the
conclusion of the hearing, the court took the matter under advisement. On September 1, 2015,
the trial court issued an order that dismissed all three counts of Lavite’s complaint with
prejudice. This timely appeal followed.
¶ 18 ANALYSIS
¶ 19 On appeal, Lavite asserts that the court erred in dismissing his complaint with prejudice.
Before we address the merits of this appeal, we would be remiss if we did not point out the
manifest disregard by the defendants for the statutory requirements set forth in section 2-619.1
of the Code. As noted previously, the defendants simply asked the court to dismiss the
plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to sections 2-615 and 2-619 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-615,
2-619 (West 2014)). The defendants’ motion to dismiss was inadequate because it failed to
comply with the procedural requirements for combined motions. Reynolds v. Jimmy John’s
Enterprises, LLC, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 20, 988 N.E.2d 984. This is not an isolated
occurrence. The failure to follow the procedural requirements of section 2-619.1 seems to be
increasingly prevalent among members of the trial bar, as this court continues to see these
improperly filed motions to dismiss. This case is yet another example, and it is because of this
lack of compliance with section 2-619.1 that we address this issue.
¶ 20 Section 2-619.1 of the Code is the procedural mechanism that allows for combined
motions pursuant to section 2-615, section 2-619, and section 2-1005. 735 ILCS 5/2-619.1
(West 2014); see Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 20, 988 N.E.2d 984. A combined
motion under section 2-619.1, however, must be separated into parts, and each part must be
limited to and specify the specific section upon which the litigant is seeking relief. Further,
each part must “clearly show the points or grounds relied upon under the [s]ection upon which
it is based.” 735 ILCS 5/2-619.1 (West 2014). Section 2-619.1 does not authorize the
commingling of distinctive claims pursuant to section 2-615, 2-619, or 2-1005. These sections
are procedurally distinct from one another, and parties are not at liberty to ignore these
distinctions when filing a combined motion pursuant to section 2-619.1. Reynolds, 2013 IL
App (4th) 120139, ¶ 20, 988 N.E.2d 984. The failure to divide the motion into specific parts
and to outline the specific grounds supporting each part is an undisciplined motion practice
that violates the explicit requirements of section 2-619.1 and makes the task of considering the
merits of the motion more arduous for both trial courts and courts of review.
¶ 21 Counsel who fail to comply with the procedural rules regarding combined motions do so at
their own peril. Trial courts should not consider a combined motion under section 2-619.1 if it
does not adhere to these statutory requirements. Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 21,
988 N.E.2d 984. This is because such motions create unnecessary complications and
confusion. Thus, when faced with a motion that does not comport with section 2-619.1, trial
courts should sua sponte deny the motion and provide the moving party with an opportunity to
file a motion that meets the statutory requirements. Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 21,
988 N.E.2d 984. Alternatively, trial courts could allow the moving party to file separate
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motions under section 2-615 and section 2-619 to avoid running afoul of the procedural
requirements of section 2-619.1. Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 21, 988 N.E.2d 984.
¶ 22 In this case, the plaintiff recognized that the defendants had filed a combined motion to
dismiss that was not in compliance with section 2-619.1 but did not ask that the pleading be
stricken. Instead, the parties proceeded to argue the merits of the motion, with the defendants
offering their more detailed explanations during their oral argument before the trial court.
During the hearing on August 26, 2015, the defendants claimed that count I of the plaintiff’s
complaint should be dismissed pursuant to section 2-615 and counts II and III of the complaint
should be dismissed pursuant to section 2-619. Thereafter, on September 1, 2015, the trial
court dismissed the plaintiff’s complaint without addressing any particular section of the Code.
¶ 23 As a result of this ruling, our task has been greatly complicated by the circuit court’s failure
to articulate the specific sections relied upon in its dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaint.
Notions of fundamental fairness are better served by following the law and our applicable
rules. There is no doubt that the lack of clarity in the trial court’s ruling resulted because of the
defendants’ failure to follow the procedural requirements of section 2-619.1. Nevertheless, we
begin with the trial court’s order of September 1, 2015, and address each of its rulings in turn.
¶ 24 With regard to count I of the plaintiff’s complaint, the trial court found that Lavite had
failed to name a necessary party, namely the Madison VAC. Count I requested that the court
issue a writ requiring the defendants to allow Lavite access to the Madison VAC office located
in the administration building. With regard to necessary parties, “Illinois law does not have any
one express provision regulating who must be joined as a party. Instead, several provisions of
the Code of Civil Procedure affect the common-law rule relating to the joinder of parties.”
Safeco Insurance Co. of Illinois v. Treinis, 238 Ill. App. 3d 541, 544, 606 N.E.2d 379, 380
(1992). Our courts have analyzed whether a party is “necessary” by looking at the various
reasons alleged for joinder. Consequently, the courts have arrived at three reasons to conclude
a party is “necessary,” such that the lawsuit should not proceed in the party’s absence: “(1) to
protect an interest that the absentee has in the subject matter of the controversy which would be
materially affected by a judgment entered in his absence; (2) to protect the interests of those
who are before the court; or (3) to enable the court to make a complete determination of the
controversy.” Holzer v. Motorola Lighting, Inc., 295 Ill. App. 3d 963, 970, 693 N.E.2d 446,
452 (1998).
¶ 25 As noted previously, section 10 of the Act vests the executive powers of the commission in
the superintendent elected by the commission. That superintendent “shall, under the direction
of the commission, have charge of and maintain an office in the county building or other
central location, to be used solely by the commission for carrying on its assistance work.” 330
ILCS 45/10 (West 2014). Therefore, as the superintendent for the Madison VAC, Lavite was
vested with executive authority by statute and was obligated to protect the interests of the
Madison VAC. As such, there was no need, under any of the reasons identified herein, to deem
the Madison VAC a necessary party. Moreover, Lavite was the authorized spokesperson for
the Madison VAC, and there was no other individual authorized to speak on its behalf.
Therefore, we hold that the Madison VAC was not a necessary party under count I of Lavite’s
complaint, and the court erred in dismissing count I for that reason.
¶ 26 Even if the Madison VAC were considered a necessary party to enable the court to make a
complete determination of the controversy, the Code has several options available, short of
dismissal. More particularly, section 2-406(a) of the Code provides that “[i]f a complete
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determination of a controversy cannot be had without the presence of other parties, the court
may direct them to be brought in.” 735 ILCS 5/2-406(a) (West 2014). Section 2-407
specifically indicates that “[n]o action shall be dismissed for misjoinder of parties, or
dismissed for nonjoinder of necessary parties without first affording reasonable opportunity to
add them as parties.” 735 ILCS 5/2-407 (West 2014). Additionally, had the defendants truly
believed that the Madison VAC was a necessary party, they could have added the Madison
VAC under section 2-405 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-405 (West 2014)). Thus, even if the
Madison VAC were a necessary party, the court should have granted Lavite the opportunity to
amend his complaint. Accordingly, we find that the court erred in its dismissal of count I, with
prejudice, when it failed to allow Lavite to amend his pleading.
¶ 27 The second basis given by the trial court for dismissal of count I was in two parts. First, the
court held that Lavite had no standing to seek a writ of mandamus. Second, the court
determined that the actions taken by the defendants were discretionary judgments, relying
upon Hazen v. County of Peoria, 138 Ill. App. 3d 836, 485 N.E.2d 1325 (1985).
¶ 28 We first examine the issue of standing. Under section 2-619(a)(2), a defendant may move
for an involuntary dismissal where the plaintiff does not have legal capacity to sue, or the
defendant does not have the legal capacity to be sued. 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(2) (West 2014).
The doctrine of standing ensures that issues are raised only by those parties who have a
sufficient stake in the outcome of the controversy. Glisson v. City of Marion, 188 Ill. 2d 211,
221, 720 N.E.2d 1034, 1039 (1999). In ruling on the motion, the trial court must interpret all
pleadings and supporting documents in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.
Borowiec v. Gateway 2000, Inc., 209 Ill. 2d 376, 383, 808 N.E.2d 957, 962 (2004). A section
2-619 motion to dismiss presents a question of law, and our review is de novo. Robinson v.
Toyota Motor Credit Corp., 201 Ill. 2d 403, 411, 775 N.E.2d 951, 957 (2002).
¶ 29 In this case, the trial court’s dismissal based on standing highlights the conundrum caused
by the defendants’ failure to comply with the statutory requirements for filing combined
motions to dismiss. During the August 26 hearing, counsel for the defendants argued that
section 2-615 applied to count I. Standing, however, is an issue raised pursuant to section
2-619. Regardless of the defendants’ failure to recognize this important distinction, we
reiterate that the Act provides that “[t]he executive powers of the commission shall be vested in
a superintendent,” and it is the superintendent who is authorized to bring an action for
mandamus where a county board fails to appropriate the just and necessary sums needed to
provide veteran assistance under the Act. 330 ILCS 45/10, 2 (West 2014). We recognize that
the action before us does not involve the appropriation of funds, but there seems to be no
distinction in the Act as to the ability of the superintendent to enforce the multitude of rights
available to the Madison VAC under the Act.
¶ 30 In Ickes v. Board of Supervisors, the superintendent of the county veterans commission and
two tax payers filed an action for mandamus against the county board, claiming the county had
not appropriated the just and necessary sums to fund the benefits needed to assist veterans
pursuant to the Act. Ickes v. Board of Supervisors, 415 Ill. 557, 114 N.E.2d 669 (1953). In
Makowicz v. County of Macon, the superintendent of the county veterans commission brought
a complaint for declaratory judgment on behalf of the county VAC, claiming that the authority
to appoint and discharge employees of the commission was not held by the county board.
Makowicz v. County of Macon, 78 Ill. 2d 308, 399 N.E.2d 1302 (1980). In each of these cases,
the commission was not a named plaintiff, and our supreme court proceeded to determine the
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merits of the appeal. Therefore, we hold that Lavite had standing to bring his complaint
pursuant to the Act, and count I should not have been involuntarily dismissed under section
2-619(a)(2).
¶ 31 Next, the trial court determined that count I sought a writ of mandamus “against the
defendants, public officials, who made discretionary judgments regarding the security of
County facilities, employees and members of the public using same.” Once again, it is difficult
for us to discern whether the court dismissed Lavite’s complaint because the plaintiff failed to
state a cause of action upon which relief could be granted—thus involving section 2-615 of the
Code—or whether the dismissal was based on an affirmative matter under section
2-619(a)(9)—namely, the fact that Parente was performing a discretionary act, thereby
precluding an action for mandamus.
¶ 32 We begin our analysis with mandamus, generally. Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy
to enforce, as a matter of public right, “the performance of official duties by a public officer
where no exercise of discretion on his part is involved.” Madden v. Cronson, 114 Ill. 2d 504,
514, 501 N.E.2d 1267, 1272 (1986). “The writ provides affirmative rather than prohibitory
relief [citation] and can be used to compel the undoing of an act [citation].” Noyola v. Board of
Education, 179 Ill. 2d 121, 133, 688 N.E.2d 81, 86 (1997). Mandamus will lie where, as
alleged here, public officials have failed or refused to comply with requirements imposed by
statute, provided that the requirements for that writ have been satisfied. Noyola, 179 Ill. 2d at
132, 688 N.E.2d at 86.
¶ 33 Article 14 of the Code governs the procedures related to the filing of an action in
mandamus. 735 ILCS 5/14-101 et seq. (West 2014). Pursuant to section 14-101, an action for
mandamus shall be brought in the name of the person seeking the relief. 735 ILCS 5/14-101
(West 2014). More importantly, the Code provides that “[t]he proceedings for mandamus shall
not be dismissed nor the relief denied because the plaintiff may have another judicial remedy,
even where such other remedy will afford proper and sufficient relief; and amendments may be
allowed as in other civil cases.” 735 ILCS 5/14-108 (West 2014). Even where the plaintiff
seeks the wrong remedy but demonstrates an entitlement to relief, section 14-109 requires the
court to allow the plaintiff the opportunity to amend his pleadings. 735 ILCS 5/14-109 (West
2014). With regard to civil cases, generally, section 2-616(a) of the Code allows for
amendments to the pleadings. 735 ILCS 5/2-616(a) (West 2014). Specifically, “[a]t any time
before final judgment amendments may be allowed on just and reasonable terms, introducing
any party who ought to have been joined as plaintiff or defendant, dismissing any party,
changing the cause of action or defense or adding new causes of action or defenses.” 735 ILCS
5/2-616(a) (West 2014). The purpose of allowing an amendment is to “enable the plaintiff to
sustain the claim for which it was intended to be brought or the defendant to make a defense or
assert a cross claim.” 735 ILCS 5/2-616(a) (West 2014). Therefore, even if the trial court had
determined that count I was insufficient in seeking a remedy at law, the court erred in its
dismissal of count I, with prejudice, when it failed to allow Lavite to amend his pleading.
¶ 34 Despite the extraordinary remedy allowed by such a writ, mandamus proceedings are
governed by the same pleading rules that apply to actions at law. Noyola, 179 Ill. 2d at 133, 688
N.E.2d at 86. For a complaint seeking mandamus to withstand a challenge to its legal
sufficiency, it must allege facts that establish a clear right to the relief requested, a clear duty of
the respondent to act, and clear authority in the respondent to comply with the writ. Noyola,
179 Ill. 2d at 133, 688 N.E.2d at 86. The defendants’ motion to dismiss merely concluded, as to
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count I, that “Plaintiff’s Complaint does not state a cause of action for mandamus.” At oral
argument, the defendants insisted that count I be dismissed pursuant to section 2-615. Indeed,
section 2-615 allows for the dismissal of a complaint where it is “substantially insufficient in
law.” 735 ILCS 5/2-615 (West 2014). “In ruling on such a motion, a court must accept as true
all well-pleaded facts in the complaint, as well as any reasonable inferences that may arise
from them.” Kanerva v. Weems, 2014 IL 115811, ¶ 33, 13 N.E.3d 1228. “The critical inquiry is
whether the allegations of the complaint, when construed in the light most favorable to the
plaintiff, are sufficient to establish a cause of action upon which relief may be granted.”
Weems, 2014 IL 115811, ¶ 33, 13 N.E.3d 1228. “A cause of action should not be dismissed
under section 2-615 unless it is clearly apparent from the pleadings that no set of facts can be
proven that would entitle the plaintiff to recover.” Weems, 2014 IL 115811, ¶ 33, 13 N.E.3d
1228. “Our review of an order granting a section 2-615 motion to dismiss is de novo ***.”
Weems, 2014 IL 115811, ¶ 33, 13 N.E.3d 1228.
¶ 35 Therefore, we first consider whether the facts set forth in Lavite’s complaint are sufficient
to establish a cause of action at law. The plaintiff alleged that he suffered a medical emergency
that required his hospitalization. He also alleged that Parente is the county administrator of
Madison County, Illinois. In his complaint, Lavite set forth the obligation of the County to
provide the Madison VAC with an office under section 10 of the Act (330 ILCS 45/10 (West
2014)). Pursuant to section 10, the superintendent is in charge of that office, which is to be used
solely by the commission for carrying on its work assisting veterans. Plaintiff further alleged
that on March 20, 2015, Parente “issued a directive to Bradley A. Lavite that he was not
permitted to enter the Madison County Administration Building.” A copy of Parente’s letter
was attached as exhibit A. Lavite requested that the court compel the defendants to allow him
access to the Madison VAC office, located in the administration building. Without being
allowed to access the Madison VAC office, Lavite claimed he was unable to carry on his duties
as the VAC superintendent.
¶ 36 The defendants did not answer the complaint, opting instead to file a motion to dismiss.
Nevertheless, during oral argument, there was a great deal of discussion regarding the
reasoning used by Parente in denying Lavite access to the administration building. The
defendants excused Parente’s conduct based upon his obligation to protect the public. The
plaintiff’s complaint, however, said nothing about potential harm to the public. In fact, the
pleading is devoid of any mention that Parente’s actions were taken for the “security of County
facilities,” as indicated by the court’s order. The allegations in the pleadings are the only
matters that the court is to consider in ruling on a section 2-615 motion. Illinois Graphics Co. v.
Nickum, 159 Ill. 2d 469, 485, 639 N.E.2d 1282, 1289 (1994). The trial court obviously
considered facts outside of the plaintiff’s pleading, which was improper under a section 2-615
motion to dismiss. Therefore, having reviewed the allegations of Lavite’s complaint in the
light most favorable to plaintiff, we believe the court erred in dismissing count I under section
2-615, where it considered factual matters outside of the pleadings.
¶ 37 We next consider whether the trial court properly dismissed count I of Lavite’s complaint
pursuant to section 2-619 (735 ILCS 5/2-619 (West 2014)). As noted previously, a motion to
dismiss under section 2-615 differs significantly from a motion for involuntary dismissal under
section 2-619. Becker v. Zellner, 292 Ill. App. 3d 116, 122, 684 N.E.2d 1378, 1383 (1997). “A
significant difference between the two motions is that a section 2-615 motion is based on the
pleadings rather than on the underlying facts.” Cwikla v. Sheir, 345 Ill. App. 3d 23, 29, 801
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N.E.2d 1103, 1109 (2003). A section 2-619 motion, however, admits the legal sufficiency of
the complaint but asserts an affirmative defense or other matter that avoids or defeats the
claim. Becker, 292 Ill. App. 3d at 122, 684 N.E.2d at 1383. In other words, the motion assumes
that a cause of action has been stated but then “raises defects, defenses or other affirmative
matter which appears on the face of the complaint or is established by external submissions
which act to defeat the plaintiff’s claim.” Neppl v. Murphy, 316 Ill. App. 3d 581, 584, 736
N.E.2d 1174, 1178 (2000). A section 2-619 proceeding enables the court to dismiss the
complaint after considering issues of law or easily proved issues of fact. Neppl, 316 Ill. App.
3d at 585, 736 N.E.2d at 1179. In a hearing on a section 2-619 motion, the court may go outside
of the pleadings, as the parties are allowed to introduce proof denying the facts alleged in the
plaintiff’s complaint, including affidavits and other forms of competent evidence. 735 ILCS
5/2-619 (West 2014).
¶ 38 In ruling that the actions of the defendants were discretionary, the court cited Hazen v.
County of Peoria, 138 Ill. App. 3d 836, 485 N.E.2d 1325 (1985). In Hazen, the Veterans
Assistance Commission of Peoria County (Peoria VAC) and its superintendent filed a petition
for mandamus and injunctions to compel the Peoria County Board to impose a tax rate that
would raise the funds requested by the Peoria VAC to carry out the purposes of the Act. The
Peoria County Board’s authorization of a lower tax rate meant the Peoria VAC was still
eligible to qualify for state funds that would supplement the local funds for public aid
purposes. The county board directed the Peoria VAC to comply with the rules and regulations
of the Department of Public Aid so that the remainder of the funds needed by the Peoria VAC
could be obtained from the state. Hazen, 138 Ill. App. 3d at 838-39, 485 N.E.2d at 1327-28.
The defendants counterclaimed for a declaratory judgment and for an injunction or a writ of
mandamus to require the plaintiffs to comply with the Public Aid Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983,
ch. 23, ¶ 12-21.13). In Hazen, the facts were not in dispute. The issue was whether the Peoria
County Board’s conduct constituted a discretionary act, thereby precluding an action for
mandamus, as it is a well-settled rule of law that mandamus will not lie to compel the
performance of an official duty in a particular manner where the exercise of judgment or
discretion is involved. Hazen, 138 Ill. App. 3d at 839, 485 N.E.2d at 1328. After a hearing
involving the merits of the case, the court granted the defendants’ petition for mandamus and
for an injunction. There was no discussion regarding “necessary parties” or “standing.” Rather,
Hazen is a case where the court decided the issues raised by the pleadings and the evidence and
entered judgment.
¶ 39 The procedural posture in Hazen is far different than the status of the pleadings before the
trial court in this case. In the case sub judice, the defendants did not file responsive pleadings.
Instead, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint for failure to state a
claim upon which relief could be granted. The defendants attached to their motion an affidavit
from Parente, which said nothing about the need to act to protect the public safety. Instead,
during argument on their motion, the defendants offered only their argument that the action
taken by Parente was a discretionary act. Not a scintilla of credible evidence was proffered
before the trial court in the form required by the Code. Indeed, Parente may have had a reason
to keep Lavite from entering the administration building, but this was clearly a question of fact
not properly raised by the defendants’ motion. There is nothing in the record to indicate that
Parente’s unilateral denial of Lavite’s access to the administration building or the Madison
VAC office was performed for any reason other than that alleged by plaintiff in his complaint.
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At this stage of the proceedings, the trial court erred in its determination that the defendants
made discretionary judgments regarding the security of county facilities.
¶ 40 Having fully considered the potential bases for the dismissal of count I pursuant to sections
6-215 and 2-619, we vacate the trial court’s order in its entirety and remand to the trial court
with instructions to deny the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
¶ 41 We next address the court’s order dismissing count II. In count II, Lavite alleged that the
defendants advised that they would not process payroll requests for the superintendent’s
salary. Lavite sought an order of mandamus, directing the defendants to process the Madison
VAC’s payroll requests covering his salary as the superintendent. Section 10 of the Act directs
the county board to appropriate such sums, upon recommendation of the VAC and as approved
by the county board, to properly compensate the officers and employees who are required to
administer the assistance provided for in the Act. 330 ILCS 45/10 (West 2014). In the motion
to dismiss count II, the defendants conceded that payment of Lavite’s salary was the function
of the Madison VAC, not the County. They attached an affidavit, executed by Parente, which
stated in pertinent part:
“In Count II of Plaintiff’s Complaint Plaintiff states that Defendants have advised that
they will not process payroll requests for the Superintendent’s salary. This allegation is
false. The County has not and will not fail or refuse to process a payroll request from
the Veterans Assistance Commission to the County to pay Plaintiff’s salary so long as
the Veterans Assistance Commission has sufficient funds to pay the Superintendent’s
salary and forwards a proper payroll request to the County. The County pays Plaintiff’s
salary out of the Veterans Assistance Commission funds appropriated by the Madison
County Board.”
¶ 42 According to the affidavit, the defendants have affirmatively stated that they have not, and
will not, refuse to process a payroll request. Thus, there appears to be no actual controversy
between the parties at this time as to count II. After reviewing the record, we find that count II
was brought prematurely, as it does not present a concrete dispute requiring a judicial decision.
We affirm the trial court’s decision to dismiss count II. Nothing, however, would preclude
Lavite from pursuing a remedy should an actual controversy arise with regard to his
compensation.
¶ 43 Finally, we direct our attention to count III, wherein the plaintiff sought payment of
attorney fees from the Madison VAC funds. The trial court identified several reasons for its
dismissal of this count with prejudice. First, as with count I, the trial court held that the
Madison VAC was a necessary party. In addition to the reasoning previously set forth herein, it
is noteworthy that attached to the plaintiff’s complaint, as exhibit E, was a “Resolution To Hire
Attorney,” dated April 10, 2015. This resolution authorized the hiring of an attorney to
represent Lavite and indicated as follows:
“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President is authorized to execute
the attached retainer agreement with attorney Thomas W. Burkart Law Office to
represent the interests of the Commission and its Superintendent in all matters
addressed in letters from Joseph Parente dated March 6 and April 6, 2015 and the
complaint that accompanied the latter.”
Defendants’ argument that Lavite lacked standing was nonsensical, as they claimed the
plaintiff “did not have a real interest in the funding of the VAC.” That was not the issue. As the
executive officer, Lavite had the authority to represent the Madison VAC in its efforts to have
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the attorney fees paid from Madison VAC funds. Therefore, we hold that the Madison VAC
was not a necessary party to the proceeding, as Lavite could adequately protect the interests of
the Madison VAC. Moreover, as before, even if the Madison VAC was deemed a necessary
party by the court or the defendants, the cause of action should not have been dismissed, as the
complaint could have been amended to add the Madison VAC as a party-plaintiff or nominal
defendant.
¶ 44 The court also dismissed count III, holding that the plaintiff had no standing to seek
mandamus under the Act for payment of attorney fees “where the VAC must first submit the
reimbursement request to the County for its review and approval.” In reaching its decision, the
circuit court relied upon Veterans Assistance Comm’n v. County Board, 2015 IL App (3d)
130969. In light of our prior discussion regarding the issue of standing and the aforementioned
resolution attached to Lavite’s complaint, we find that Lavite has standing to bring this claim
on behalf of the Madison VAC for payment of attorney fees.
¶ 45 Finally, we consider whether the Madison VAC was entitled to have its attorney fees paid
from the VAC funds that had already been appropriated, or whether the VAC was subject to
the County ordinances applicable to the expenditure of monies in excess of $5000 and/or the
competitive purchasing ordinance. The defendants, once again, alleged an affirmative matter
in their attempt to dismiss count III. Therefore, we review the court’s dismissal pursuant to
section 2-619(a)(9). 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2014).
¶ 46 In support of this argument, the defendants rely upon Veterans Assistance Comm’n v.
County Board, 274 Ill. App. 3d 32, 654 N.E.2d 219 (1995). In that case, the VAC suggested
benefit amounts for veterans at an amount different than those recommended by the county
board. 274 Ill. App. 3d at 34, 654 N.E.2d at 220-21. Additionally, the VAC approved an annual
superintendent salary of $46,000, but the board appropriated only $23,700. 274 Ill. App. 3d at
34, 654 N.E.2d at 221. The county executive also signed an order appointing the county auditor
to oversee the distribution of money and supplies to veterans, and then the board adopted a
resolution that purported to amend parts of the VAC’s handbook that included the standards
for determining need, veterans’ benefit levels, and VAC rules. 274 Ill. App. 3d at 34, 654
N.E.2d at 221. The trial court ruled in favor of the county. 274 Ill. App. 3d at 34, 654 N.E.2d at
221. The appellate court reversed and remanded. In doing so, the court held that section 9 of
the Act “does not empower the board to create rules that unilaterally alter veterans’ benefit
levels, VAC salary levels or VAC rules.” 274 Ill. App. 3d at 36, 654 N.E.2d at 222. The court
further explained, “[h]ere, the board seeks to reduce benefits to veterans in need. If we were to
adopt defendants’ assertion that section 9 gives the board supremacy over the VAC, we would
be granting the board the power to thwart the very purpose of the Act. This we cannot do.” 274
Ill. App. 3d at 37, 654 N.E.2d at 222-23.
¶ 47 Similarly, in this case, the Board seeks to impose oversight on the Madison VAC by
imposing its ordinances, which directly affect the operation of the commission. As in Veterans
Assistance Comm’n v. County Board, this it cannot do. Therefore, we vacate subparagraph b of
the trial court’s order relating to count III of Lavite’s complaint, as the County had already
appropriated the funds for the Madison VAC and had no further right to impose its ordinances
on the Madison VAC in the selection of an attorney for Lavite.
¶ 48 Moreover, the defendants conceded that “Illinois law is clear that attorney’s fees for legal
representation of a County Veterans Assistance Commission must be paid from the Veterans
Assistance Commission funds, not from the general fund of the County.” Here, the plaintiff’s
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complaint alleges that the Board had approved a budget for the Madison VAC, which included
monies for the assistance to eligible veterans as well as salaries and expenses needed to
implement the purposes of the Act. Therefore, defendants’ reliance on Hazen v. County of
Peoria, 138 Ill. App. 3d 836, 485 N.E.2d 1325 (1985), is misplaced.
¶ 49 In Hazen, the VAC requested that its attorney be paid from county funds. There, the court
indicated that “the attorney for the VAC is not entitled to compensation from general county
funds but rather must be paid from VAC funds. This holding is consistent with the decision of
the Supreme Court of Illinois in Makowicz v. County of Macon (1980), 78 Ill. 2d 308, 399
N.E.2d 1302, that the superintendent and other VAC employees are employees of the VAC and
not of the county board.” Hazen, 138 Ill. App. 3d at 842, 485 N.E.2d at 1329-30.
¶ 50 Unlike the controversy in Hazen, the defendants concede their obligation to pay, so long as
the VAC has the necessary funding, and have only objected based on the applicability of the
ordinances. Therefore, we find there is no genuine issue of fact as to the payment of attorney
fees. Thus, the court erred in dismissing count III. Accordingly, we vacate that order and
remand to the circuit court with instructions to deny the defendants’ motion to dismiss count
III.
¶ 51 CONCLUSION
¶ 52 In conclusion, as to count I, we vacate the trial court’s order in its entirety and remand to
the trial court with instructions to deny the defendants’ motion to dismiss. As to count II, the
circuit court’s order of dismissal is affirmed, as the claim was premature. As to count III, we
vacate the trial court’s order and remand to the trial court with instructions to enter an order
denying the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
¶ 53 Affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded with instructions.
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