Court Opinion

ID: 9711093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:24:25.097055+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:02.303783
License: Public Domain

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION ON DENIAL OF REHEARING Mr. JUSTICE SEIDENFELD delivered the opinion of the court: In their petition for rehearing, plaintiffs assert that count V should not have been dismissed, since in that count they were seeking funds withheld on the contract by NSSD as well as interest on the retained funds. They maintain that they did state a claim in count V for monies due and owing on the contract with NSSD. Count V is confusing for a number of reasons, including the fact that it seeks an equitable remedy, constructive trust, for an action at law clearly compensable in money damages. Also, in the prayer for relief to count V, plaintiffs sought only the imposition of a constructive trust on the earnings on the money retained and did not specifically pray for damages in the amount of the money withheld.  However, the NSSD has not disputed the fact that it has withheld payment under the contract and has asserted only that interest may not be recovered on the retainages. In the interest of fairness and the advancement of this litigation, we will consider count V as a claim for the amount withheld under the contract as well as a claim for interest on that amount. So viewed, count V does state a claim for the retainage upon which relief can be granted, and to that extent should not have been dismissed. NSSD is, of course, free to file an answer denying any allegations therein or otherwise defending against the claim. At this stage of the litigation, we express no view on the issue of whether interest can ultimately be recovered by plaintiffs. If they are successful in obtaining a judgment against NSSD for the retainage the trial court can then decide whether prejudgment interest is available in light of the applicable provisions of the Interest Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 74). Thus the opinion is modified^ to the extent that the portion of the judgment dismissing count V, brought solely against NSSD, is reversed as to the claim for the retainage. The disposition of counts I — IV remains unchanged. NASH and UNVERZAGT, JJ., concur.