Opinion ID: 2050667
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment

Text: Before concluding, we consider briefly plaintiffs' argument that, if this court rejects defendants' facial challenges to section 11-91-1, as amended, we not only must reverse the entry of summary judgment in defendants' favor but also must enter summary judgment in plaintiffs' favor. Essentially, plaintiffs request that we review and reverse the trial court's denial of their motion for summary judgment. Ordinarily, the denial of a motion for summary judgment is not a final judgment and therefore is not appealable. Arangold Corp. v. Zehnder, 187 Ill.2d 341, 357, 240 Ill.Dec. 710, 718 N.E.2d 191 (1999). However, an exception exists where, as in this case, the parties file opposing motions for summary judgment on the same claim and the trial court grants one motion and denies the other. Arangold, 187 Ill.2d at 358, 240 Ill.Dec. 710, 718 N.E.2d 191. A motion for summary judgment should be granted only when the pleadings, depositions, and affidavits demonstrate that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 735 ILCS 5/2-1005(c) (West 1998). After reviewing the record, we agree with the trial court that genuine issues of material fact exist and that plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment therefore should be denied. These issues, all of which are raised in defendants' response to plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, include, but are not limited to, whether (1) the Village previously transferred a portion of the proposed vacation to defendants; (2) plaintiffs have agreed to the terms set forth in Ordinance No. 4482; and (3) Ordinance No. 4482 itself is arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to the public interest. Significantly, when it entered summary judgment in defendants' favor, the trial court specifically noted that the existence of these factual issues precluded the entry of summary judgment in plaintiffs' favor. Accordingly, we will not disturb the trial court's denial of plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment.