McGrath v. Addy & McGrath Fireworks, Inc.

2022 IL App (3d) 210013Opinion filed June 27, 2022
____________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
THIRD DISTRICT
2022
MICHAEL J. MCGRATH, as Trustee of the ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
Michael J. McGrath Trust No. 1, ) of the 12th Judicial Circuit,
) Will County, Illinois.
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
)
v. )
)
ADDY & MCGRATH FIREWORKS, INC.; )
HENRY ADDY, Individually and d/b/a Addy )
Racks; RYAN MCGRATH; ADDY )
PYROTECHNICS, INC.; ADDY LOGISTICS, ) Appeal No. 3-21-0013
INC.; WAYNE’S WORLD FIREWORKS, )
LLC; ACE-E, LLC; ACE PYRO, LLC; ACE ) Circuit No. 17-MR-591
PYRO DISPLAYS, LLC; ILLINOIS )
NATIONAL TRADE CENTERS, LLC; and )
JO-CARROL DEPOT LRA, )
)
Defendants )
)
(Wayne’s World Fireworks, LLC; Ace-E, LLC; )
Ace Pyro, LLC; and Ace Pyro Displays, LLC, ) The Honorable
) John C. Anderson,
Defendants-Appellants). ) Judge, Presiding.
____________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE LYTTON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Presiding Justice O’Brien and Justice Schmidt concurred in the judgment and opinion.
____________________________________________________________________________
OPINION
¶1 Plaintiff Michael McGrath, as Trustee of the Michael J. McGrath Trust No. 1, entered into
a loan and security agreement with Addy & McGrath Fireworks, Inc. (AMF), whereby plaintiff
agreed to loan AMF $1 million in exchange for a security interest in AMF’s inventory, including
fireworks. When AMF failed to pay amounts due under the loan and security agreement, plaintiff
filed suit against AMF; its owners, Ryan McGrath and Henry Addy; other entities owned by Addy
(Addy Logistics, Inc. and Addy Pyrotechnics, Inc.); purchasers of AMF’s fireworks (Wayne’s
World Fireworks, LLC and Ace Pyro, LLC); and other entities (Ace-E, LLC and Ace Pyro
Displays, LLC). The trial court granted summary judgment to plaintiff and against Ace Pyro, LLC,
Ace-E, LLC and Ace Pyro Displays, LLC (collectively “Ace”) and Wayne’s World, requiring Ace
and Wayne’s World to pay plaintiff damages, including attorney fees. Wayne’s World and Ace
appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) ruling that plaintiff had a valid security interest in
the fireworks they purchased; (2) finding they were not buyers in the ordinary course of business;
(3) calculating plaintiff’s damages; and (4) entering judgment against non-interested parties. We
affirm the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of plaintiff, reduce the award of
damages and remand for the trial court to dismiss non-interested parties.
¶2 I. BACKGROUND
¶3 In September 2015, Ryan McGrath and Henry Addy created, incorporated and registered
AMF in Illinois. McGrath and Addy were the sole owners and operators of AMF, with McGrath
as the majority shareholder and president and Addy as the minority shareholder and secretary.
AMF operated under an assumed business name of “PyroNation,” which it registered with the
Illinois Secretary of State on October 22, 2015.
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¶4 On October 30, 2015, plaintiff Michael McGrath, as Trustee of the Michael J. McGrath
Trust No. 1, entered into a loan and security agreement with AMF. The agreement provided that
plaintiff would loan AMF $1 million, the majority of which would be used by AMF to purchase
“containers of Professional pyrotechnics” and “containers of Consumer pyrotechnics.” In
exchange, AMF agreed to repay the loan with interest and granted plaintiff a security interest in
any inventory held or later acquired by AMF, including fireworks. Section 4.12 of the agreement
provided: “Debtor has duly obtained and now holds all licenses, permits, certifications, approvals
and the like required by federal, state and local laws of the jurisdictions in which Debtor conducts
its business, and each remains valid and in full force and effect.” Section 9.4 of the agreement
provided: “Debtor agrees to pay to Creditor *** all expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees
and court costs paid or incurred by Creditor in exercising or enforcing any of its rights hereunder
***.” In November 2015, plaintiff filed a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) (810 ILCS 5/1-101
et seq. (West 2014)) financing statement with the State of Illinois, evidencing its security interest
in AMF’s collateral.
¶5 According to Ryan McGrath, AMF applied for a Federal Explosives License from the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Bureau) in April 2016. However, AMF
did not obtain that license or an Illinois Pyrotechnics License from the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources (Department). Those licenses were necessary for AMF to lawfully purchase,
possess, and sell 1.3G fireworks.
¶6 Addy owned and operated two separate business entities in addition to AMF: Addy
Pyrotechnics, Inc. and Addy Logistics, Inc. Addy Pyrotechnics possessed a valid license for 1.3G
fireworks. As a result, Addy purchased 1.3G fireworks on behalf of AMF under Addy
Pyrotechnic’s license number.
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¶7 In early 2016, AMF, under its registered and assumed name of PyroNation, used
$287,471.25 of the $1 million plaintiff loaned it to purchase 1.3G display fireworks from three
Chinese fireworks manufacturers—Crown Pyrotechnics, Inc., Jiangxi Province Lidu Fireworks
Corporation, and Sunny International Co. AMF agreed to pay the sellers an additional $100,689.56
after the fireworks were delivered.The invoice from Crown lists the buyer as PyroNation. The
invoices from the other two sellers list the buyer as Addy Pyrotechnics. After the fireworks were
delivered, they were stored in bunkers leased by AMF. AMF held a valid storage license with the
Department, allowing it to store fireworks. AMF stamped many of the containers of the fireworks
with the name “PyroNation.”
¶8 In September 2016, Ryan McGrath had a discussion with Nelson Lewis, president of
Wayne’s World, LLC, about selling the fireworks AMF purchased from the Chinese
manufacturers to Wayne’s World. Around the same time, Addy began having regulatory problems,
and the Department directed Addy to seek buyers for the fireworks or risk the Department
destroying them.
¶9 On January 17, 2017, with the approval and oversight of the Department, defendants
Wayne’s World and Ace Pyro purchased the fireworks from Addy for $35,000 in cash and agreed
to assume the $100,689.56 in outstanding debt owed the Chinese manufacturers. Addy never
distributed the proceeds of the sale to AMF or Ryan McGrath.
¶ 10 Neither AMF nor Ryan McGrath knew about or approved of the sale of the fireworks to
Wayne’s World or Ace Pyro. Addy represented to Wayne’s World, Ace Pyro, and the Department
that the fireworks were owned by him and Addy Pyrotechnics. Lewis knew the fireworks Addy
sold him were the same fireworks Ryan McGrath discussed selling to him a few months earlier.
The license number used in the sale belonged to Addy Pyrotechnics. Wayne’s World later sold the
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fireworks it purchased from Addy for $162,624.40. Ace retained some of the fireworks it
purchased from Addy and sold the rest for $55,481.51.
¶ 11 In May 2017, plaintiff filed a 13-count complaint against defendants AMF, d/b/a
PyroNation; Henry Addy, d/b/a Addy Racks; Ryan McGrath; Addy Pyrotechnics; Addy Logistics;
Wayne’s World; Ace; Illinois International Trade Centers, LLC; and Jo-Carrol Depot LRA. The
complaint alleged that AMF and its owners defaulted on the loan and security agreement by failing
to repay the loan. Count I requested declaratory relief, seeking a declaration that it had a superior
perfected security interest in the collateral of AMF, including any collateral purchased and held
by any defendants. Count II alleged breach of contract against AMF. Count III alleged breach of
contract against Addy. Count IV alleged breach of contract against Ryan McGrath. Count V
alleged conversion against Addy. Count VI alleged conversion against Addy Pyrotechnics and
Addy Logistics. Count VII alleged replevin and detinue against AMF, Ryan McGrath, and Addy.
Count VIII alleged replevin and detinue against Addy, Addy Pyrotechnics, and Addy Logistics.
Count IX alleged replevin and detinue against Wayne’s World. Count X alleged replevin and
detinue against Ace. Count XI alleged conversion against Wayne’s World. Count XII alleged
conversion against Ace. Count XIII alleged fraudulent conveyance against Addy, Addy
Pyrotechnics, and Addy Logistics.
¶ 12 Wayne’s World and Ace filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the fireworks they
purchased were not subject to plaintiff’s security interest because (1) AMF did not have a license
or permit from the Bureau or Department to import, manufacture, or deal in explosive materials
and (2) they purchased the fireworks in the ordinary course of business. The trial court denied the
motion.
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¶ 13 In July 2017, the court entered default judgment against Addy, Addy Pyrotechnics, Inc.,
and Addy Logistics, Inc., in the amounts of $1,335,952.01 (counts III, V and XIII) and $255,270.41
(counts VI and XIII). In February 2018, Wayne’s World and Ace filed amended counterclaims
(1) seeking declaratory relief against plaintiff, AMF, Addy, Ryan McGrath, and Addy
Pyrotechnics (count I), (2) asserting breach of contract against AMF, Addy, Ryan McGrath, and
Addy Pyrotechnics (count II), (3) alleging fraud in the inducement against AMF and Ryan
McGrath, (count III), (4) alleging fraud in the inducement against Addy and Addy Pyrotechnics
(count IV), (5) alleging civil conspiracy against plaintiff, AMF, Ryan McGrath, Addy, and Addy
Pyrotechnics (count V), and (6) claiming deceptive trade practices against plaintiff, AMF, Ryan
McGrath, Addy, and Addy Pyrotechnics (count VI).
¶ 14 Wayne’s World and Ace filed a motion for summary judgment, raising the same arguments
they did in their motion to dismiss. Plaintiff also filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing
that (1) it held a valid and security interest in the fireworks sold to Wayne’s World and Ace,
(2) AMF did not authorize the sale and transfer of the fireworks to Ace or Wayne’s World, and
(3) Ace and Wayne’s World were not buyers in the ordinary course. Plaintiff also filed a motion
for summary judgment with respect to Wayne’s World’s and Ace’s civil conspiracy counterclaim
(count V). AMF and Ryan McGrath filed a motion for summary judgment against Ace and
Wayne’s World for the counterclaims asserted against them. Finally, Wayne’s World and Ace
filed a motion for summary judgment for all their counterclaims against AMF, Ryan McGrath,
Addy, and Addy Pyrotechnics.
¶ 15 In January 2020, the trial court entered an order granting summary judgment to plaintiff on
count I (declaratory relief), counts IX and X (replevin and detinue against Wayne’s World and
Ace), and counts XI and XII (conversion against Wayne’s World and Ace) of his complaint. With
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respect to Wayne’s World’s and Ace’s counterclaims, the trial court granted summary judgment
in favor of plaintiff on count I (declaratory judgment), count V (civil conspiracy), and count VI
(deceptive trade practices) and in favor of AMF and Ryan McGrath on count II (breach of
contract), count III (fraud in the inducement), count V (civil conspiracy) and count VI (deceptive
trade practices).
¶ 16 Thereafter, the trial court entered an order dismissing defendants AMF, Ryan McGrath,
Addy Logistics, International Trade Centers, LLC, and Jo-Carrol Depot LRA without prejudice.
Plaintiff then filed its motion to prove damages. In its motion, plaintiff asserted that the fair market
value of the fireworks sold to Ace and Wayne’s World was their wholesale value plus a profit
expectation of 30 percent, which Ryan McGrath stated during his deposition was standard in the
fireworks industry. Plaintiff also sought attorney fees from both Ace and Wayne’s World, claiming
damages totaling $202,403.22 from Ace and $144,338.61 from Wayne’s World.
¶ 17 Ace and Wayne’s World filed a motion to modify or vacate the court’s summary judgment
order. Ace and Wayne’s World also filed a response to plaintiff’s motion to prove damages,
arguing that the value of the fireworks was much less than that asserted by plaintiff. They also
argued that plaintiff was not entitled to attorney fees or expected profits above the wholesale price
of the fireworks. They asked the court to limit the damages they owed to $42,470.38. The trial
court denied Wayne’s World’s and Ace’s motion to modify/vacate. Thereafter, the court entered
an order on damages, requiring Ace to pay plaintiff $202,403.22 and Wayne’s World to pay
plaintiff $144,338.61, which included attorney fees.
¶ 18 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 19 A. Validity of Plaintiff’s Security Interest
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¶ 20 Defendants Ace and Wayne’s World argue that because AMF did not have a license to
acquire or possess fireworks, (1) AMF did not have adequate “rights in the collateral,” to create a
security interest in the fireworks at issue, (2) the loan and security agreement was illegal and
cannot be enforced, and (3) plaintiff should not be allowed to recover under the loan and security
agreement because he did not properly investigate whether AMF was properly licensed.
¶ 21 Article 9 of the UCC (810 ILCS 5/9-109(a)(1) (West 2020)) “applies to any transaction,
regardless of its form, that intends to create a security interest in personal property.” Malek v. Gold
Coast Exotic Imports, LLC, 2018 IL App (1st) 171459, ¶ 17. “A security interest is the secured
party’s rights in the collateral held by the debtor.” Id. The owner of property becomes a “debtor”
for purposes of the UCC by pledging his property as collateral for a debt. See Motz v. Central
National Bank, 119 Ill. App. 3d 601, 607 (1983).
¶ 22 Typically, an agreement between parties that a security interest attaches to the debtor’s
collateral is evidenced by a written, authenticated security agreement. Malek, 2018 IL App (1st)
171459, ¶ 21; see also 810 ILCS 5/9-102(a)(74) (West 2020) (defining a “security agreement” as
“an agreement that creates or provides for a security interest”). A “[s]ecured party” is “[a] person
in whose favor a security interest is created or provided for under a security agreement.” 810 ILCS
5/9-102(a)(73)(A) (West 2020). A secured party perfects its security interest by filing a financing
statement with the Secretary of State, and this places third parties on notice of that party’s interest
in the collateral. See id. § 9-310(a); Malek, 2018 IL App (1st) 171459, ¶ 21. Once the interest in
the original collateral is perfected, the security interest in the proceeds from the collateral is also
perfected. 810 ILCS 5/9-315(c) (West 2020); Midwest Decks, Inc. v. Butler & Baretz Acquisitions,
Inc., 272 Ill. App. 3d 370, 377 (1995).
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¶ 23 Under section 9-203(b) of the UCC, a security interest is created and enforceable against
the debtor and third parties if (1) value has been given, (2) the debtor has rights in the collateral or
the power to transfer such rights to a secured party, and (3) the debtor and the secured party have
agreed that a security interest shall attach to the collateral. 810 ILCS 5/9-203(b) (West 2020). The
UCC does not define the term “rights in the collateral.” Midwest Decks, 272 Ill. App. 3d at 376.
However, it is generally recognized that rights in the collateral are sufficient if the debtor has
(1) possession and title (id.), or (2) something more than “naked possession” (Brown v. United
States, 622 F. Supp. 1047, 1050 (D.S.D. 1985)). As long as the debtor has possession and “some
ownership interest in the collateral,” a security interest will attach. Id. This is true even if the debtor
lacks formal title to the goods. See Andrews v. Mid-America Bank & Trust Co., 152 Ill. App. 3d
139, 143 (1987); Central National Bank of Mattoon v. Worden-Martin, Inc., 90 Ill. App. 3d 601,
603-04 (1980).
¶ 24 Courts will not enforce an illegal contract or any rights that arise from an illegal contract.
Goodrich v. Tenney, 144 Ill. 422, 430 (1893); Ritacca v. Girardi, 2013 IL App (1st) 113511, ¶ 32.
A contract is illegal where (1) its terms violate Illinois or federal law (see Gamboa v. Alvarado,
407 Ill. App. 3d 70, 75 (2011)) or (2) it requires one or both parties to perform an illegal act (see
St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago R.R. Co. v. Mathers, 104 Ill. 257, 259 (1882)).
¶ 25 A security agreement is valid and enforceable if it does not require either the debtor or the
lender to engage in illegal activity, even if the debtor uses the lender’s funds to engage in illegal
conduct. See In re Kalisch, 413 B.R. 115, 134 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008). In Kalisch, the debtor,
Marco, entered into a loan agreement with Maple Trade Finance Corporation, pursuant to which
Maple Trade agreed to loan Marco $1.5 million to purchase diamonds. Id. at 118. Marco and Maple
Trade also entered into a security agreement that granted Maple Trade a security interest in
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collateral, consisting of an apartment in Manhattan, to secure the loan. Id. The loan documents
represented and warranted that the diamonds would be legally imported, required Marco to comply
with all “valid regulations, laws and orders of any governmental authority,” and prohibited Marco
from violating “any provision of law or statute.” Id. at 128-29. Despite those provisions in the loan
documents, Marco used the loan proceeds to illegally obtain and import diamonds from Brazil.
See id. at 118-19. Marco argued that because he used the proceeds from Maple Trade’s loan
illegally, the security agreement was unenforceable, and Maple Tree could not foreclose on its
collateral. Id. at 134. The court disagreed. Id.
¶ 26 The court determined that the loan agreement between Marco and Maple Trade was not
itself “immoral or illegal, as it did not violate the law by its terms.” Id. Rather, the loan agreement
required that the loan proceeds be used to purchase diamonds from authorized sources. Id. Because
the illegal activities orchestrated by Marco “were not directly contemplated by or necessary to the
performance of the loan agreement,” the loan agreement was valid and enforceable Id. The court
concluded that the transaction between Marco and Maple Trade was not infected by Marco’s
misconduct and that Maple Trade was entitled to enforce its remedies under the loan documents,
including foreclosing on its collateral. Id.
¶ 27 Marco also argued that Maple Trade did not have a valid security interest in the collateral
used to secure the loan because Maple Trade knew or should have known that its loan proceeds
would be used to finance unlawful activities. See id. at 120. The court rejected Marco’s argument,
finding the Marco “did not make disclosures sufficient to put Maple Trade on actual or inquiry
notice of the corrupt practices underlying his sketchy business plan.” Id. at 123. The court found
that while Maple Trade may have been “insufficiently diligent” and “perform[ed] an inadequate
investigation of its borrower,” such conduct did not invalidate the security agreement or preclude
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Maple Trade from recovering under the agreement. Id. at 132-33. The court noted: “In comparing
the relative fault of Marco and Maple Trade, Marco is an active wrongdoer while Maple Trade
simply is a passive lender that financed his bad acts.” Id. at 132.
¶ 28 Here, the requirements for a valid security interest were met because (1) plaintiff gave
AMF value in the form of a $1 million loan, (2) AMF had possession and ownership rights to the
fireworks because they were purchased with AMF’s funds, stored in a facility leased by AMF, and
stamped with AMF’s assumed business name, and (3) plaintiff and AMF entered into the loan and
security agreement, which gave plaintiff a security interest in AMF’s inventory, which included
fireworks. See 810 ILCS 5/9-203(b) (West 2020).
¶ 29 Furthermore, the loan and security agreement between plaintiff and AMF was enforceable
because it did not contemplate illegal activity. See Kalisch, 413 B.R. at 134. The agreement
provided that plaintiff would lend AMF money and AMF would provide plaintiff a security interest
in its inventory, including any fireworks it acquired, to ensure repayment. The loan and security
agreement provided that AMF had obtained and would maintain “all licenses *** required by
federal, state and local laws” to conduct its business, which included the purchase and sale of
fireworks. That AMF failed to acquire the licenses that it asserted in the agreement it already
possessed does not render the loan and security agreement illegal because the agreement did not
require either party to violate the law. See id. Plaintiff took no part in illegal conduct, and illegal
conduct was not necessary to perform the loan and security agreement. Therefore, plaintiff was
entitled to enforce its rights and remedies under the that agreement. See id.
¶ 30 Additionally, plaintiff’s security interest is not invalidated because of any wrongdoing on
plaintiff’s part. Plaintiff was merely a passive lender, not an active wrongdoer. See id. at 133.
Based on AMF’s representations in the loan and security agreement that it had obtained and would
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maintain all licenses necessary to conduct its business, plaintiff had no knowledge or reason to
know that AMF would illegally acquire fireworks without a valid license. Any failure on plaintiff’s
part to investigate whether AMF had actually obtained all necessary licenses prior to loaning
money to AMF does not invalidate the loan and security agreement or preclude plaintiff from
recovering under the agreement. See id. at 132-33.
¶ 31 Finally, plaintiff timely filed its UCC financing statement with the Secretary of State, so
as soon as AMF took possession of the subject fireworks, plaintiff’s security interest in them was
perfected. See 810 ILCS 5/9-310(a) (West 2020); Malek, 2018 IL App (1st) 171459, ¶ 21;
Andrews, 152 Ill. App. 3d at 143-44. Once plaintiff’s interest in the fireworks was perfected,
plaintiff’s interest in the proceeds from the fireworks was also perfected. See 810 ILCS 5/9-315(c)
(West 2020); Midwest Decks, Inc., 272 Ill. App. 3d at 377. Thus, the trial court properly ruled that
plaintiff had a valid security interest in the subject fireworks and the proceeds therefrom.
¶ 32 B. Buyer in the Ordinary Course of Business
¶ 33 Alternatively, Wayne’s World and Ace argue that even if plaintiff possessed a valid
security interest in the subject fireworks, they took free of that interest as buyers in the ordinary
course of business. They contend that because Addy was acting as an agent of AMF when they
purchased the fireworks from him, they meet the requirements of buyers in the ordinary course of
business.
¶ 34 A “[b]uyer in the ordinary course of business” is “a person that buys goods in good faith,
without knowledge that the sale violates the rights of another person in the goods, and in the
ordinary course from a person, other than a pawnbroker, in the business of selling goods of that
kind.” 810 ILCS 5/1-201(b)(9) (West 2020)). “[A] buyer in the ordinary course of business takes
free of a security interest created by the buyer’s seller ***.” 810 ILCS 5/9-320(a) (West 2020).
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However, a buyer in the ordinary course of business is not protected from a security interest created
by a former owner of the goods who is not the buyer’s seller. Martin Brothers Implement Co. v.
Diepholz, 109 Ill. App. 3d 283, 289 (1982); see also Milledgeville Community Credit Union v.
Corn, 307 Ill. App. 3d 8, 15 (1999) (buyer did not take vehicle free of security interest perfected
by a remote party who was not buyer’s seller).
¶ 35 Whether a person is a “buyer in the ordinary course of business” is normally a question of
fact. Bank One, Milwaukee, N.A. v. Loeber Motors, Inc., 293 Ill. App. 3d 14, 20 (1997). However,
a trial court can determine on cross-motions for summary judgment whether a party qualifies as a
“buyer in the ordinary course of business.” Id.¶ 36 An agency is a fiduciary relationship in which the principal has the right to control the
agent’s conduct and the agent has the power to act on the principal’s behalf. McNerney v.
Allamuradov, 2017 IL App (1st) 153515, ¶ 64. Although the existence of an agency relationship
is typically a question of fact, it becomes a question of law when the facts regarding the relationship
are undisputed or no liability exists as a matter of law. Id. The burden of proving the existence of
an agency relationship and the scope of authority is on the party seeking to charge the alleged
principal. Id.¶ 37 An agent’s authority may be actual or apparent. Patrick Engineering, Inc. v. City of
Naperville, 2012 IL 113148, ¶ 34. “Actual agency consists of a principal/agent, master/servant, or
employer/employee relationship and the principal’s control or right to control the conduct of the
agent, servant, or employee.” Jacobs v. Yellow Cab Affiliation, Inc., 2017 IL App (1st) 151107,
¶ 64. Apparent agency liability occurs when a purported principal has created the appearance that
someone is his or her agent, and an innocent third party has reasonably relied on such appearance
to his detriment. Id.13
¶ 38 “Apparent authority in an agent is the authority which the principal knowingly permits the
agent to assume, or the authority which the principal holds the agent out as possessing.” Gilbert v.
Sycamore Municipal Hospital, 156 Ill. 2d 511, 523 (1993). To impose liability based on apparent
authority, a plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) the principal held out the agent as having authority
or knowingly acquiesced in the agent’s exercise of authority, (2) the third person reasonably
concluded that an agency relationship existed because of the actions of the principal and agent,
and (3) the third person detrimentally relied on the agent’s apparent authority. Jacobs, 2017 IL
App (1st) 151107, ¶ 31 (citing Oliveira-Brooks v. Re/Max International, Inc., 372 Ill. App. 3d 127,
137 (2007)). The apparent authority of an agent must be based on words and acts of the principal
and not on anything the agent himself has said or done. Graver v. Pinecrest Volunteer Fire
Department, 2014 IL App (1st) 123006, ¶ 17.
¶ 39 Here, for Wayne’s World and Ace to qualify as buyers in the ordinary course of business,
they must have purchased the fireworks from AMF or one of its agents because a buyer in the
ordinary course only takes free of a security interest created by its seller. See 810 ILCS 5/9-320(a)
(West 2020); Diepholz, 109 Ill. App. 3d at 289; Milledgeville Community Credit Union, 307 Ill.
App. 3d at 15. However, the facts in this case do not support Wayne’s World’s and Ace’s
contention that they purchased the fireworks from Addy as an agent of AMF. Both Nelson and
Enzer provided deposition testimony that Addy told them he was acting on behalf of Addy
Pyrotechnics when he sold the fireworks. The name listed on the invoices as the seller of the
fireworks was “Addy Pyrotechnics.” Addy never suggested to Nelson nor Enzer that he was selling
the fireworks on behalf AMF. Additionally, McGrath never communicated to Nelson or Enzer that
Addy was acting on behalf of AMF and expressly prohibited Addy from selling the fireworks on
behalf of AMF. Furthermore, Addy’s actions following the sale of the fireworks establish that he
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was not acting as an agent for AMF. Addy never provided the proceeds of the sale of the fireworks
to McGrath or placed them in an account owned by AMF.
¶ 40 Addy was acting for himself and Addy Pyrotechnics, not AMF, when he sold the fireworks
to Wayne’s World and Ace. Because Addy was not acting as an agent for AMF when he sold the
fireworks to Wayne’s World and Ace, they did not take the fireworks free of AMF’s security
interest. See 810 ILCS 5/9-320(a) (West 2020); Diepholz, 109 Ill. App. 3d at 289; Milledgeville
Community Credit Union, 307 Ill. App. 3d at 15.
¶ 41 C. Damages
¶ 42 Wayne’s World and Ace argue that the trial court erred in ordering them to pay (1) damages
equal to the wholesale value of the fireworks plus anticipated lost profits, and (2) attorney fees.
¶ 43 1. Measure of Damages
¶ 44 The plaintiff must prove damages to a reasonable degree of certainty. Beasley v. Pelmore,
259 Ill. App. 3d 513, 523 (1994)). In a conversion action, the proper measure of damages is the
market value of the property at the time of the conversion. First National Bank of Mount Prospect
v. York, 27 Ill. App. 3d 614, 616 (1975). It is the plaintiff’s burden to prove the fair market value
of property. See Benford v. Everett Commons, LLC, 2014 IL App (1st) 130314, ¶ 35.
¶ 45 The wholesale value of an item is less than its market value. See Crandall v. Country
Mutual Insurance Co., 81 Ill. App. 3d 140, 144 (1980); McCracken v. Farmers’ Grain Co., 215
Ill. App. 551, 554 (1919). In a conversion action, the fair market value of an item can be determined
using its wholesale value plus anticipated profit. See Brown Coal Co. v. Illinois Cent. R. Co., 192
N.W. 920, 923 (Iowa 1923) (citing Butler v. Collins, 12 Cal. 457 (1859)).
¶ 46 A plaintiff may recover anticipated profits when they can be estimated with “ ‘reasonable
certainty.’ ” Tri-G, Inc. v. Burke, Bosselman & Weaver, 222 Ill. 2d 218, 248 (2006) (quoting
15
Barnett v. Caldwell Furniture Co., 277 Ill. 286, 289 (1917)). It is not necessary for lost profits to
be proven with absolute certainty. Id. (citing Midland Hotel Corp. v. Reuben H. Donnelley
Corp., 118 Ill. 2d 306, 315-16 (1987)). “The law requires only that the plaintiff approximate the
claimed lost profits by competent evidence.” Id. Such evidence must tend to establish a basis for
the assessment of damages for lost profits to a fair degree of probability. Id. (citing Barnett, 277
Ill. at 289). “However, recovery of lost profits cannot be based upon conjecture or sheer
speculation.” Midland Hotel Corp., 118 Ill. 2d at 316. The evidence must afford a “reasonable
basis for the computation of damages.” Id.¶ 47 Here, the trial court did not err in determining that the proper measure of damages owed
plaintiff was the fair market value of the fireworks, which consisted of the wholesale value of the
fireworks plus anticipated lost profits. See York, 27 Ill. App. 3d at 616; Crandall, 81 Ill. App. 3d
at 144; McCracken, 215 Ill. App. at 554; Brown Coal Co., 192 N.W. at 923. At his deposition,
Ryan McGrath, majority owner of AMF, stated that in the fireworks industry, fireworks are
generally sold for 30 to 40 percent more than their wholesale cost. McGrath’s deposition testimony
was sufficient to establish lost profits to a fair degree of probability and adequately supported
plaintiff’s claim of damages in the amount of the wholesale value of the fireworks plus 30 percent
in anticipated profits. See Tri-G, 222 Ill. 2d at 248; Midland Hotel, 118 Ill. 2d at 316; Barnett, 277
Ill. at 289.
¶ 48 2. Attorney Fees
¶ 49 “Illinois follows the ‘American rule,’ which prohibits a prevailing party from recovering
its attorney fees from the losing party absent an express statutory or contractual provision.” Oak
Forest Properties, LLC v. RER Financial, Inc., 2018 IL App (1st) 161704, ¶ 12. “Accordingly,
contracts that provide for an award of attorney fees to the prevailing party are in derogation of
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common law and must be strictly construed.” Id. Only parties to a contract are bound by its terms.
See Kiefer v. Reis, 331 Ill. 38, 48 (1928); Brooks v. Cigna Property & Casualty Cos., 299 Ill. App.
3d 68, 72 (1998).
¶ 50 Section 9-607 of the UCC (810 ILCS 5/9-607 (West 2020)) addresses collection and
enforcement by a secured party upon default of the borrower. It provides in pertinent part:
“(c) Commercially reasonable collection and enforcement. A secured party shall
proceed in a commercially reasonable manner if the secured party:
(1) undertakes to collect from or enforce an obligation of an account debtor or
other person obligated on collateral; and
(2) is entitled to charge back uncollected collateral or otherwise to full or
limited recourse against the debtor or secondary obligor.
(d) Expenses of collection and enforcement. A secured party may deduct from the
collections made pursuant to subsection (c) reasonable expenses of collection and
enforcement, including reasonable attorney’s fees and legal expenses incurred by the
secured party.” 810 ILCS 5/9-607(c)-(d) (West 2020).
UCC Comment 10 to section 9-607 provides:
“The phrase ‘reasonable attorney’s fees and legal expenses,’ which appears in
subsection (d), includes only those fees and expenses incurred in proceeding against
account debtors or other third parties. The secured party’s right to recover these
expenses from the collections arises automatically under this section. The secured
party also may incur other attorney’s fees and legal expenses in proceeding against
the debtor or obligor. Whether the secured party has a right to recover those fees
and expenses depends on whether the debtor or obligor has agreed to pay them, as
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is the case with respect to attorney’s fees and legal expenses under Sections 9-
608(a)(1)(A) and 9-615(a)(1). The parties also may agree to allocate a portion of
the secured party’s overhead to collection and enforcement under subsection (d) or
Section 9-608(a).” 810 ILCS Ann. 5/9-607, UCC Comment 10, at 759 (Smith-Hurd
2004).
Sections 9-608 and 9-615 of the UCC provide that proceeds collected from a debtor be applied to
“the reasonable expenses of collection and enforcement and, to the extent provided for by
agreement and not prohibited by law, reasonable attorney’s fees and legal expenses incurred by
the secured party.” (Emphasis added.) 810 ILCS 5/9-608(a)(1)(A) (West 2020); id. § 9-615(a)(1).
¶ 51 Section 9-607(d) of the UCC allows a secured party to deduct attorney fees and legal
expenses incurred for collection and enforcement from the amount it receives from the collateral
before applying the collected collateral toward the satisfaction of the secured debt. See Magnolia
Financial Group v. Antos, 310 F. Supp. 3d 764, 769 (E.D. La. 2018) (construing identical provision
of Louisiana law). It does not provide a secured party the right to seek collection expenses,
including attorney fees, from an account debtor from whom collateral is collected. Id.¶ 52 Here, the trial court erred in ordering Ace and Wayne’s World to pay plaintiff attorney
fees. Section 9-607 of the UCC does not grant a secured party the right to attorney fees. See 810
ILCS 5/9-607 (West 2020); Magnolia, 310 F. Supp. 3d at 769. Rather, the right to recover such
fees comes from the security agreement. See 810 ILCS Ann. 5/9-607, UCC Comment 10, at 759
(Smith-Hurd 2004); 810 ILCS 5/9-608(a)(1)(A), 9-615(a)(1) (West 2020). Here, Section 9.4 of the
agreement allowed plaintiff to recover attorney fees. However, the parties to the security
agreement were plaintiff and AMF. Ace and Wayne’s World were not parties to the security
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agreement. Thus, they cannot be bound by its fee provision. See Kiefer, 331 Ill. at 48; Brooks, 299
Ill. App. 3d at 72; Magnolia, 310 F. Supp. 3d at 769.
¶ 53 Because plaintiff has cited to no statutory authority, other than section 9-607 of the UCC,
entitling it to attorney fees and no agreement exists allowing plaintiff to recover attorney fees from
Wayne’s World or Ace, the trial court erred in including attorney fees in its award of damages to
plaintiff. See Oak Forest Properties, LLC, 2018 IL App (1st) 161704, ¶ 12; Magnolia, 310 F.
Supp. 3d at 769. Pursuant to our authority under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 366(a)(5) (eff. Feb.
1, 1994), we reduce the trial court’s award of damages and order Ace to pay damages totaling
$173,379.32, and Wayne’s World to pay damages totaling $123,638.51.
¶ 54 D. Noninvolved parties
¶ 55 Finally, Wayne’s World and Ace argue that the trial court should have entered judgment
only against Wayne’s World and Ace Pyro, LLC, because they were the only entities involved in
the purchase and sale of the fireworks at issue in this case. The other Ace entities—Ace-E, LLC,
and Ace Pyro Displays, LLC—had nothing to do with the fireworks sales transactions. Plaintiff
agrees that judgment should not have been entered against Ace-E, LLC or Ace Pyro Displays,
LLC.
¶ 56 We remand the cause to the circuit court with directions to dismiss Ace-E, LLC, and Ace
Pyro Displays, LLC, as defendants.
¶ 57 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 58 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Will County is affirmed in
part, modified in part, and the cause is remanded with directions.
¶ 59 Affirmed in part, modified in part, and remanded with directions.
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2022 IL App (3d) 210013Decision Under Review: Appeal from the Circuit Court of Will County, No. 17-MR-591;
the Hon. John C. Anderson, Judge, presiding.
Attorneys Jon A. Stump, Stephen M. Buck, and Mitch M. Gilfillan, of Quinn
for Johnston, of Peoria, and John M. Stevens, of Brooke Stevens, P.C.,
Appellant: of Muncie, Indiana, for appellants.
Attorneys Christopher R. Dunsing, Troy A. Lundquist, of Langhenry, Gillen,
for Lundquist & Johnson, LLC, of Wheaton, for appellee.
Appellee:
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