Metropolitan Alliance of Police v. City of Crystal Lake

2019 IL App (2d) 190217-UNo. 2-19-0217
Order filed December 3, 2019
NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and may not be cited as
precedent by any party except in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1).
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________
METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE, ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
) of McHenry County.
Plaintiff-Appellant, )
)
v. ) No. 2017-CH-345
)
CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE, a Municipal )
Corporation, ) Honorable
) Michael Chmiel
Defendant-Appellee. ) Judge, Presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE ZENOFF delivered the judgment of the court.
Justices McLaren and Hutchinson concurred in the judgment.
ORDER
¶1 Held: The appellate court dismissed the appeal as moot where the parties had settled the
underlying dispute before the notice of appeal was filed.
¶2 Plaintiff, Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP), appeals the order of the trial court
granting summary judgment in favor of defendant, the City of Crystal Lake (City). MAP sought
injunctive relief to enforce a request for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. (West 2016)), and the trial court found that MAP was the “wrong
entity” or did not have “standing” to bring the claim. We dismiss this appeal as moot.
¶3 I. BACKGROUND
2019 IL App (2d) 190217-U¶4 On March 9, 2017, Richard Tracy, vice president of MAP, submitted a freedom of
information request to the City. The two-page document, written on MAP letterhead, was titled
at the top of each page, “Freedom of Information Request on behalf of Crystal Lake Police MAP
Chapter # 177” (Chapter 177). Paragraphs one through three requested attorney billing records
related to ongoing litigation regarding the City’s termination and subsequent reinstatement of one
of its police officers. See City of Crystal Lake v. Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Chapter 177,
2018 IL App (2d) 170192-U. Paragraphs four through six requested copies of the minutes from
city council meetings where the litigation was discussed. On March 27, 2017, Eric Helm, the
City’s FOIA officer, responded to the request in an e-mail sent to Richard Tracy. The City
complied with the request in part but denied the request as to paragraphs one through three, stating
that the records were exempt from disclosure under sections 7(1)(l) and 7(1)(m) of the FOIA (5
ILCS 140/7(1)(l), (m) (West 2016)), which respectively pertain to closed meeting minutes of
public bodies and communications between a public body and its attorney.
¶5 On May 1, 2017, MAP filed a complaint alleging that the City wrongfully denied its FOIA
request by erroneously invoking exemptions. MAP sought an injunction ordering the City to
disclose the disputed records.
¶6 On June 12, 2017, the City responded by filing a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2-
619 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-619) (West 2016). The City asserted that there
was “no question” that the disputed documents were compiled by the City at the behest of its
attorney in anticipation of litigation, and it attached the affidavit of Helm, wherein he averred to
that fact. According to the City, the requested documents were “plainly exempt under FOIA
pursuant to the 7(1)(m) Compilation Exemption.” The trial court denied the motion to dismiss,
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-Ustating that the mere act of “gathering papers” was “ministerial” in nature, and that it did not
believe that the legislature intended to exempt such materials under section 7(1)(m).
¶7 On November 29, 2017, the trial court denied the City’s motion to reconsider the order
denying its motion to dismiss. It ordered the City to file its answer to the complaint within 21
days. It ordered that all written discovery be completed by January 31, 2018, and that all
discovery be completed by February 28, 2018.
¶8 On January 31, 2018, at approximately 4:15 p.m., the City presented MAP with several
discovery requests, including a set of 16 interrogatories, a request for production of documents,
and 20 requests to admit facts. On February 20, 2018, MAP filed a motion to strike the City’s
discovery requests, alleging that the City had violated the court’s discovery order by propounding
written discovery late in the day on the final day of written discovery. In its answer to the motion
to strike, the City argued that it understood the court’s previous order to mean that January 31 was
the last day to issue discovery, not that it had to be fully completed by that date. However, should
the court disagree with the City’s interpretation of the discovery order, the City requested an
extension of the deadline “to provide MAP with sufficient time to respond.” The City argued
that MAP would suffer no injury by a short extension because the “very documents in dispute have
been attached as exhibits to the City of Crystal Lake’s Request to Admit. [Citation.] Thus, to the
extent that MAP ever suffered an injury by the deprivation of these documents, that injury has
ceased.” (Emphasis added.) The City attached those same 136 pages of heavily redacted attorney
billing records, which it purported to be all of the documents sought but denied in the FOIA
request, as an exhibit to its response to the motion to strike.
¶9 On April 19, 2018, at the hearing on the motion to strike, both parties discussed the
documents that the City produced.
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-U“MR. GARZA [(MAP’S ATTORNEY)]: We now have the documents. We
have—and so our position is the only issue now is addressing the fees and costs. For
those reasons, we ask that the Court strike [the City’s] untimely discovery request and, you
know, proceed to a hearing on costs and fees.
***
MR. PICKERELL [(THE CITY’S ATTORNEY)]: Mr. Garza just now represented
in court that they now have the documents they were looking for. That’s fine. Put
‘em—have him sign a piece of paper and let us know and that way we can put that issue to
bed and we can move on to resolve the remaining issues in this case.
***
MR. GARZA: [addressing whether MAP would acknowledge that the City had
produced the disputed documents] [M]aybe something by way of an affidavit of
completion, you know, from—
MR. PICKERELL: I could absolutely supply the affidavit.
***
I would be happy to write an affidavit saying that these are all the attorney bills you’re
looking for. To address your Court’s concern about why is it redacted, those are
privileged attorney/compliant [sic] communications, and so---
***
MR. GARZA: I think if [Mr. Pickerell] is willing to provide an affidavit saying
that this is complete—that the request from the FOIA is complete, and that the only thing
that has been redacted are [sic] attorney/client strategy type of matters, I think—I think—
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-Uand I would certainly support a position for my client that says that it has been—the FOIA
request has been completed.
***
Which leads us—which leads us to the point where we now have our remedy in this
matter—
THE COURT: Okay.” (Emphasis added.)
¶ 10 The City then recommended that they move forward to “summary judgment time” on the
legal issue of whether the City properly invoked the exemption under section 7(1)(m) of the FOIA,
implying that a ruling on the merits that it had prevailed would preempt any claim by MAP as to
costs and fees. The court suggested that it was a good time to refer the matter to mediation. The
City did not object but MAP’s attorney stated:
“MR. GARZA: We have our—we have, assuming they can provide the affidavit
as a complete—to the completeness, we have our remedy. I don’t know what else we’re
going to discuss—
THE COURT: Well, but every point I suppose in this case is being litigated, and
including a potential sliver, respectfully. I generally agree with Mr. Garza, but I
appreciate Mr. Pickerell’s point. I can’t fathom how one does not flow from the other.
I think that’s what the statute provides for, but, nevertheless, we stand to be educated.
***
Maybe [the mediator] could help you address whatever that issue is, the legal issue,
but then reasonableness as well [presumably referring to reasonableness of costs and fees
to be awarded, if any]. I think it’s—I think it would be time and resources well spent.
And then if you can’t reach an accord, let’s have a prompt trial.”
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-UThe court ordered the mediation and set the matter for status on June 7, 2018.
¶ 11 On May 22, 2018, the City’s attorney sent an e-mail to MAP’s attorney that read:
“I have attached the affidavit and related documents affirming that the documents
that the City previously provided are the complete set of documents that are responsive to
items 1-3 of Crystal Lake Police MAP Chapter #177’s FOIA request dated March 9, 2017.
Please let me know if you have any questions.”
In the affidavit, Helm averred that the documents that the City initially refused to release were
subsequently delivered in connection with discovery. The disputed documents were attached to
the affidavit, and Helm further averred that the “documents attached hereto as Exhibit A are copies
of all of the Requested Documents in the City’s possession, subject to appropriate redactions.”
¶ 12 The record is silent is to what issues were discussed at the court-ordered mediation.
However, on May 29, 2018, the mediator reported that the parties “were unable to resolve their
dispute through our services.”
¶ 13 At the status hearing on June 7, 2018, the court granted both parties leave to file motions
for summary judgment. The City filed its motion for summary judgment that same day, arguing
that (1) MAP did not have standing to bring the complaint because it was not the party that
submitted the FOIA request, and (2) the “compilation” clause in section 7(1)(m) of the FOIA
exempted the City from releasing the disputed documents. On July 5, 2018, MAP filed its cross-
motion for summary judgment, arguing that (1) it was entitled to the documents as a matter of law,
and (2) the “law of the case” doctrine required that judgment be entered in favor of MAP.
¶ 14 On August 16, 2018, at a hearing on the cross-motions for summary judgment, the City
argued that it was Chapter 177 that submitted the FOIA request, and that only Chapter 177, not
MAP, could seek relief under the FOIA. MAP responded by arguing that it was clear on the face
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-Uof the FOIA request that Richard Tracy submitted the complaint because it was his name on the
document and that it was written on MAP letterhead. Moreover, the request asked that the City
send its answer to Tracy at his MAP e-mail address, which it did. To the extent that it was not
clear from the request that MAP was the original requestor, MAP argued that any ambiguity was
resolved by Tracy’s affidavit, where he averred that he submitted the request in his capacity as an
officer of MAP.
¶ 15 On October 15, 2018, the trial court entered its written order granting summary judgment
in favor of the City: “In essence, the wrong party is pursuing this litigation; or perhaps, the entity
which is pursuing this litigation does not have standing to do so or a claim to argue.” MAP timely
appealed.
¶ 16 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 17 We must first consider our jurisdiction over this matter. Even when neither party
challenges our jurisdiction, as is the case here, we have a duty to consider jurisdiction sua sponte.
Emery v. Northeast Illinois Regional Transportation Co., 374 Ill. App. 3d 974, 977 (2007). “The
existence of an actual controversy is an essential requisite to appellate jurisdiction, and courts of
review will generally not decide abstract, hypothetical, or moot questions.” In re Marriage of
Nienhouse, 355 Ill. App. 3d 146, 149 (2004). An issue is moot where an actual controversy no
longer exists or where events have occurred that make it impossible for the court to grant effectual
relief. Garlick v. Bloomingdale Township, 2018 IL App (2d) 171013, ¶ 38.
¶ 18 An issue raised in an otherwise moot appeal may be addressed when an exception to
mootness applies. In re Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d 345, 351 (2009). The public interest exception
allows a court to review a moot issue when (1) the question presented is of a public nature, (2)
there is a need for future guidance of public officers, and (3) the issue is likely to recur. Alfred
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-UH.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 355. The capable-of-repetition-yet-avoiding-review exception applies where
(1) the challenged action is of a duration too short to be fully litigated prior to its cessation, and
(2) there is a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party will be subjected to the same
action again. Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 358. The collateral consequences exception allows
review when a court order or incarceration has ceased, but the plaintiff has suffered or is threatened
with an actual injury traceable to the defendant, and that injury is likely to be redressed by a
favorable decision. Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 361.
¶ 19 The central issue in this case was whether the City was required under the FOIA to release
attorney billing records, even when the documents had been “compiled” prior to the FOIA request
at the direction of the City’s attorney in anticipation of litigation. After initially refusing to
release the records, the City subsequently turned over the documents, if only in redacted form,
apparently waiving what it still contends was a lawful invocation of an exemption under the FOIA.
On April 19, 2018, at the hearing on the motion to strike, the City stated that the redactions were
necessary to protect privileged communications regarding litigation strategy between the City and
its attorney. MAP did not dispute the validity of the redactions, nor did it ask the court to conduct
an in camera review of the redacted material. It requested only that the City provide an “affidavit
of completion” verifying that the documents provided by the City fully addressed the FOIA
request, and that the redactions were necessary to protect “attorney/client strategy type of matters.”
¶ 20 The City and MAP both agreed that delivery of the affidavit would resolve the underlying
dispute. MAP in no way conditioned the agreement on its receiving fees and costs, stating only
that the affidavit would lead “to the point where we now have our remedy in this matter ***.”
The issue of fees and costs is provided for in section 11(i) of the FOIA: “If a person seeking the
right to inspect or receive a copy of a public record prevails in a proceeding under this Section,
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-Uthe court shall award such person reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.” (Emphasis added.) 5
ILCS 140/11(i) (West 2016). The City suggested “summary judgment time” to determine who
was the prevailing party, while MAP simply asked that they “proceed to a hearing on costs and
fees.” The court ordered mediation, and after that failed, it gave the parties leave to file motions
for summary judgment.
¶ 21 On May 22, 2018, the city produced the requested affidavit. Helm, the City’s FOIA
officer, averred that the documents completely responded to paragraphs one through three of the
FOIA request, which was the portion of the FOIA request in dispute, “subject to appropriate
redactions.” Despite the City’s delay in producing the billing records, their delivery, along with
the unchallenged affidavit of the City’s FOIA officer, satisfied the original request. MAP made
no assertions and presented no filings alleging that the documents, redactions, or affidavit were in
any way deficient to satisfy its request. Accordingly, the City’s conveyance of the affidavit at
MAP’s behest, combined with its delivery of the attorney billing records, completed what was
effectively a settlement agreement of the underlying dispute. See Black’s Law Dictionary 1405
(8th ed. 2004) (Settlement: “An agreement ending a dispute.”). Thus, any injury that MAP may
have suffered that was directly attributable to the City’s failure to produce the records ceased to
exist. Without an injury, there could be no actual controversy, and the merits of MAP’s claim
became moot. See Garlick, 2018 IL App (2d) 171013, ¶ 38 (“An issue is moot where an actual
controversy no longer exists between the parties.”).
¶ 22 With the agreement culminated, and thus, the underlying dispute settled, MAP did not file
a petition for fees and costs. Instead, it filed a motion for summary judgment on the merits of the
claim it had just effectively settled. MAP argued that the documents that were already in its
possession must be turned over as a matter of law and that the “law of the case” doctrine required
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-Uthat summary judgment be entered in its favor. MAP made no argument for fees and costs, only
broaching that issue in its prayer for relief: “[MAP] prays this court to grant its motion for
summary judgment and all relief prayed for in its complaint including that of attorney fees and
costs and other appropriate relief.” The City likewise filed its own motion for summary judgment
on the merits, raising the issue of standing for the first time and arguing that it should prevail based
on what it contended was the “compilation exemption” in section 7(1)(m) of the FOIA. The City
never mentioned the issue of fees and costs in its motion. Accordingly, neither party argued the
issue of fees and costs, and the court did not rule on it.
¶ 23 The substantive dispute regarding the billing records was clearly moot when the parties
filed their cross-motions for summary judgment. In one paragraph in its response to the City’s
motion for summary judgment, MAP argued that the City had still not complied with the FOIA
request because it did not provide sufficiently detailed reasoning for its initial denial. This
undeveloped argument did not resuscitate the lifeless issue for two reasons: (1) it was inconsistent
with MAP’s previous position, where it imparted that an “affidavit of completeness” would resolve
the issue (see Molden v. Reid, 200 Ill. App. 3d 495, 502 (1990) (the defendant’s subsequent
inconsistent argument was rejected when the defendant took a position contrary to its previous oral
argument)), and (2) MAP abandoned any such contention when it accepted the affidavit without
objection and then filed a motion for summary judgment focusing on other matters (see Janousek
v. Slotky, 2012 IL App (1st) 113432, ¶¶ 34-35 (finding that the defendants abandoned their
contention by focusing on other matters at the hearing and failing to obtain a ruling)).
¶ 24 Notwithstanding the mootness, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the
City, and MAP now asks us to review that ruling. MAP argues only that it had standing to bring
the claim, not that it was entitled to fees and costs. Similar to its motion for summary judgment,
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-UMAP does not raise that issue until the conclusion section of its brief, where it prays that we should
order disclosure of the documents already in its possession, and that we award penalties as well as
fees and costs. MAP never argued for penalties or fees and costs in its brief. To the extent that
it may have preserved either of these issues with a passing mention in the prayer for relief in its
motion for summary judgment, MAP forfeited those arguments by failing to present a cogent legal
argument with citations to authority on appeal. Hall v Naper Gold Hospitality, LLC, 2012 IL
App (2d) 111151, ¶ 12 (“Mere contentions, without argument or citation to authority, do not merit
consideration on appeal.”).
¶ 25 The only issue we are asked to consider is the trial court’s ruling on the merits of the
arguments in the City’s motion for summary judgment, which was moot at the time the court
entered its ruling. A case must remain a legal controversy from the time that it is filed in the
appellate court until the moment the court enters its disposition. Maday v. Township High School
District 211, 2018 IL App. (1st) 180294, ¶ 45. The legal controversy in this case ceased to exist
when the City conveyed Helm’s affidavit, which fulfilled the settlement agreement arranged by
the parties at the hearing on the motion to strike. Therefore, the case was moot before it arrived
in this court.
¶ 26 An issue raised in an otherwise moot appeal may be addressed when an exception to
mootness applies. In re Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d 345, 351 (2009). The public interest exception
allows a court to review a moot issue when (1) the question presented is of a public nature, (2)
there is a need for future guidance of public officers, and (3) the issue is likely to recur. Alfred
H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 355. Here, MAP asks that we determine whether the trial court erred when it
found that it did not have standing or was the wrong party. This is a fact specific question that is
not of a public nature. The capable-of-repetition-yet-avoiding-review exception applies where
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2019 IL App (2d) 190217-U(1) the challenged action is of a duration too short to be fully litigated prior to its cessation, and
(2) there is a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party will be subjected to the same
action again. Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 358. The challenged action here had no definite time
limits and there is no indication that MAP would be subject to this same action again. The
collateral consequences exception allows review when a court order or incarceration has ceased,
but the plaintiff has suffered or is threatened with an actual injury traceable to the defendant, and
that injury is likely to be redressed by a favorable decision. Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 361. This
case presents no order or incarceration that would cease. After considering all of the applicable
exceptions in light of the facts and legal claims raised in this appeal, we hold that none of the
exceptions to mootness apply.
¶ 27 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 28 For the reasons stated, we dismiss this appeal as moot.
¶ 29 Appeal dismissed.
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