Opinion ID: 2995143
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Consumer Fraud Act

Text: Mr. Randazzo also alleges that Harris violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS sec. 505/1 et seq., when it asserted a nonexistent legal right to sell his collateral. The district court found that Mr. Randazzo had failed to state a claim cognizable under the Act because Harris’ alleged misrepresentations were of law, not of fact. Mr. Randazzo contends on appeal that an assertion of legal rights in violation of a contract is actionable. We cannot accept this view. To state a cause of action under the Consumer Fraud Act, a plaintiff must plead (1) the misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact; (2) an intent by the defendant that the plaintiff rely on that misrepresentation or concealment; and (3) that the deception occurred in the course of conduct involving trade or commerce. See Notaro Homes, Inc. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 722 N.E.2d 208, 217 (Ill. App. Ct. 1999). As the prima facie case indicates, the Act requires a misrepresentation of fact. See 815 ILCS sec. 505/2 (prohibiting the use or employment of any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation or the concealment,suppression or omission of any material fact, with intent that others rely upon the concealment, suppression or omission of such material fact); see also Mack v. Plaza Dewitt Ltd. P’ship, 484 N.E.2d 900, 906 (Ill. App. Ct. 1985) (explaining that the Act requires a misrepresentation of a material fact). The district court was correct in finding that Mr. Randazzo did not state a cognizable claim. Harris’ alleged misrepresentations were not of facts, thus removing them from the Act’s ambit. Taking a position on the interpretation of legal documents, even if erroneous, is not a deceptive trade practice or act. See Notaro Homes, 722 N.E.2d at 217 ([A] deceptive representation or omission of law does not constitute a violation of the Act because both parties are presumed to be equally capable of knowing and interpreting the law.)./3