Court Opinion

ID: 4196643
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-17 00:09:57.820083+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:31.212915
License: Public Domain

Digitally signed by
                                                                            Reporter of Decisions
                           Illinois Official Reports                        Reason: I attest to the
                                                                            accuracy and integrity
                                                                            of this document
                                  Appellate Court                           Date: 2017.07.24
                                                                            14:16:01 -05'00'

                  Kuykendall v. Schneidewind, 2017 IL App (5th) 160013

Appellate Court       EDWARD KUYKENDALL, Plaintiff-Appellant and Cross-Appellee,
Caption               v. DAVID G. SCHNEIDEWIND, Individually and in His Capacity as
                      Trustee of the Evelyn J. Schneidewind Revocable Trust;
                      SCHNEIDEWIND INSURANCE AGENCY, INC., an Illinois
                      Corporation; JOHN DOE, in His or Her Capacity as Trustee of the
                      Evelyn J. Schneidewind Revocable Trust; EVELYN J.
                      SCHNEIDEWIND         REVOCABLE      TRUST;      EVELYN         J.
                      SCHNEIDEWIND, Individually and in Her Capacity as Trustee of the
                      Evelyn J. Schneidewind Trust; ADVANTAGE REALTY; and JOHN
                      DOES 1 THROUGH 5, Defendants-Appellees and Cross-Appellants.

District & No.        Fifth District
                      Docket No. 5-16-0013

Filed                 May 26, 2017

Decision Under        Appeal from the Circuit Court of St. Clair County, No. 15-AR-863;
Review                the Hon. Heinz M. Rudolf, Judge, presiding.

Judgment              Affirmed in part, reversed in part, cause remanded.

Counsel on            Jana Yocom Rine, of Jana Yocom, P.C., of Evansville, Indiana, for
Appeal                appellant.

                      David B. Schneidewind, of Boyle Brasher, LLC, of Belleville, and
                      Elizabeth A. Stuart, of Stuart & Johnston LLC, of Atlanta, Georgia,
                      for appellees.
     Panel                    JUSTICE CATES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
                              Presiding Justice Moore and Justice Chapman concurred in the
                              judgment and opinion.

                                               OPINION

¶1          The plaintiff, Edward Kuykendall, filed an action in the circuit court of St. Clair County
       against the defendants alleging fraud, breach of contract, and violations of the Consumer
       Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (Consumer Fraud Act) (815 ILCS 505/1 et seq.
       (West 2014)) arising from the purchase of a commercial property. The defendants moved to
       dismiss the action with prejudice under section 2-619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure
       (Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2014)) and requested attorney fees and costs under a
       fee-shifting provision in the purchase agreement. The defendants also sought sanctions under
       Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137 (eff. July 1, 2013). Following a hearing, the trial court
       granted the defendants’ motions and dismissed the plaintiff’s action with prejudice but
       denied their requests for attorney fees, costs, and sanctions. The plaintiff appealed from the
       order of dismissal, and the defendants cross-appealed from the order denying attorney fees
       and sanctions. For reasons that follow, we reverse the order of dismissal, affirm the order
       denying sanctions, and remand the cause for further proceedings.

¶2                                           BACKGROUND
¶3         In June 2014, the plaintiff, Edward Kuykendall, a California resident, entered into an
       agreement to purchase a commercial building and surrounding property located on East
       Broadway in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, from defendant Evelyn J. Schneidewind Revocable Trust
       (Trust). The “Commercial Building Purchase Agreement” (Agreement) was executed by both
       parties as of June 18, 2014. In accordance with the Agreement, the Trust provided the
       plaintiff with an estoppel certificate prepared by the commercial property’s sole tenant, DG
       Retail LLC (Dollar General). The certificate stated that as of June 27, 2014, the Trust was not
       in default of its obligations under the lease. The sale closed on July 16, 2014.
¶4         In the meantime, Dollar General sent a certified letter, dated July 15, 2014, to Evelyn J.
       Schneidewind, as trustee of the Trust, notifying the Trust that some parking bumpers in the
       parking lot were in poor condition and required repair. The certified letter was received by
       the Trust on July 17, 2014, one day after the closing. Over the next two weeks, Dollar
       General sent three more certified letters to the Trust, two dated July 17, 2014, and a third
       dated July 31, 2014, notifying the Trust that the drainage ditch, exterior lighting, portions of
       the building’s roof, parking lot, and loading zone required maintenance or repairs. In each
       letter, Dollar General noted that a failure to address the issues within 30 days would
       constitute a breach of the lease.
¶5         On August 28, 2014, Dollar General sent the first of four certified letters to the plaintiff,
       notifying him of several maintenance issues, including potholes throughout the parking lot,
       problems with exterior lighting in the receiving area, broken parking bumpers, drainage ditch
       issues, and restriping of the parking lot. In a second letter, dated September 3, 2014, Dollar
       General notified the plaintiff that the exterior guttering was in disrepair. The third letter,

                                                   -2-
       dated September 9, 2014, advised that the roof was leaking again. The fourth letter, dated
       November 5, 2014, indicated that there was a problem with the parking lot repairs.
¶6         The plaintiff and the Trust corresponded, but they could not agree on which party was
       responsible for the maintenance issues. The plaintiff paid for repairs totaling $8973 and then
       demanded that the Trust reimburse him. The plaintiff claimed that the Trust had knowledge
       of the condition of the premises prior to the closing and intentionally concealed the
       information from the plaintiff. The Trust refused to reimburse plaintiff. The Trust asserted
       that it had no knowledge of the condition of the premises prior to the closing and that, under
       the terms of the Agreement, the property was sold in an “as is” condition and the plaintiff
       bore the responsibility to inspect the premises prior to the sale.
¶7         On June 11, 2015, the plaintiff initiated this action seeking to recoup the amount he spent
       on the repairs. The second amended complaint, at issue here, alleges fraud (count I), breach
       of contract (count II), and violations of the Consumer Fraud Act (count III). The crux of the
       plaintiff’s complaint is that the defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of the need
       for repairs to the commercial building and surrounding property prior to the closing date and
       that they intentionally concealed this information from the plaintiff, despite a duty to disclose
       it.
¶8         Counts I and III of the second amended complaint are directed against Evelyn J.
       Schneidewind, individually and as trustee of the Trust; John Doe, as trustee of the Trust;
       David G. Schneidewind; Schneidewind Insurance Agency; Advantage Realty; and John Does
       1 through 5. In counts I and III, the plaintiff alleges that the defendants had a duty to disclose
       defects in the property and any breach of the lease, that the defendants intentionally
       concealed material facts regarding the conditions of the premises and breaches of the lease,
       and that the plaintiff was fraudulently induced to purchase the property. The plaintiff asserts
       that the defendants had a heightened duty to disclose the condition of and defects in the
       property because Evelyn J. Schneidewind and David G. Schneidewind held real estate
       licenses, which were sponsored by Schneidewind Insurance Agency and Advantage Realty.
       The plaintiff further asserts that the Trust is liable as the seller and the remaining defendants
       are liable as trust beneficiaries and/or as licensed realtors. In counts I and III, the plaintiff
       seeks compensatory damages in the sum of $8973 and punitive damages. He seeks as an
       additional award of attorney fees in count III.
¶9         Count II of the second amended complaint is directed only against defendant Evelyn J.
       Schneidewind, in her capacity as trustee of the Trust. In count II, the plaintiff alleges that
       Dollar General issued an estoppel certificate that provided that the Trust was in compliance
       with the terms of the lease; that the estoppel certificate was inaccurate, as evidenced by
       Dollar General’s letters dated July 15, 2014, and July 17, 2014; that under the terms of the
       Agreement, the Trust promised to warrant the accuracy of Dollar General’s estoppel
       certificate; and that the Trust breached the Agreement in that it refused to pay for repairs
       when it became evident that the estoppel certificate was inaccurate. The plaintiff seeks an
       award of $8973, due to the Trust’s breach of its promise to warrant the accuracy of the
       estoppel certificate, and attorney fees and costs under the fee-shifting provision in the
       Agreement.
¶ 10       Several documents were attached and incorporated as part of the second amended
       complaint, including the Agreement, the estoppel certificate, the repair receipts, and Dollar
       General’s certified letters regarding needed repairs. At the outset, we note that the copy of

                                                   -3-
       the Agreement that has been appended as an exhibit and referenced by all parties is
       incomplete. Two pages are missing, apparently inadvertently omitted, from the initial copy of
       the Agreement, which was filed as part of a defendant’s motion to dismiss the original
       complaint. Neither the plaintiff nor the defendants recognized the omission. Apparently, the
       parties made copies of the incomplete document and proceeded to attach and incorporate
       those copies into their respective pleadings.
¶ 11       According to the opening page of the Agreement, Edward Kuykendall and Barbara
       Kuykendall are the buyers of the property and Evelyn J. Schneidewind, as trustee for the
       Trust, is the seller of the property. HL Commercial Real Estate is named as the selling
       broker, and Tri-Oak Consulting Group is named as the listing broker.
¶ 12       Section 10 of the Agreement sets out the seller’s warranties and states in part:
                   “Seller represents, warrants, covenants, and agrees that as of the date of this
               agreement, the following are, and as of closing, will be true and correct, and further
               agrees that such representations, warranties and covenants shall survive the close of
               escrow:
                   ***
                   b. Until the close of escrow, Seller shall, to the extent required under any lease or
               rental agreement affecting the Property, maintain the Property in good condition,
               reasonable wear and tear excepted.
                   c. Seller has no knowledge of any order or notice, written or otherwise, by any
               City, County, State or Federal agency or department, that any work or repair,
               maintenance or improvement be performed on the Property, or that the Property is in
               violation of any statute, law or ordinance ***. To the best of Seller’s knowledge,
               there is no condition that affords the basis for any such violations described in this
               paragraph.
                   ***
                   e. Each lease or rental agreement affecting the Property is in full force and effect
               in accordance with its terms, and except as disclosed pursuant to this agreement, is
               unmodified free from default, and to the best of Seller’s knowledge, no event has
               occurred which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default
               thereunder. Except as have been disclosed pursuant to other sections of the
               agreement, no tenant is entitled to any rental concessions or abatements for any
               period of time subsequent to the scheduled closing date of this agreement; no action
               or proceeding has been instituted or is pending against Seller by any tenant of the
               Property; and, there are no leasing commissions or other compensation now due and
               payable, or payable in the future pursuant to any rental agreement which affects the
               Property at the close of escrow.
                                                   ***
                   i. To the best of Seller’s knowledge, all documents delivered to Buyer by Seller or
               on Seller’s behalf are complete and accurate.”
¶ 13       Section 16 of the Agreement addresses the buyer’s responsibilities and states in part:
                   “a. It shall be the Buyer’s sole responsibility to investigate, to its satisfaction, the
               Property and any substantive fact or facts that it is relying on in completing the
               transaction contemplated by this agreement. In the event that prior to the close of

                                                    -4-
               escrow Buyer discovers a discrepancy in the disclosed fact or facts, or any deficiency
               in the property, Buyer’s sole remedy against Seller or HLC shall be termination of
               this agreement.
                   b. The Property being sold is not new and neither Seller nor Seller’s agent warrant
               the condition of the property, which is sold in its present ‘AS IS’ condition. Buyer
               understands and agrees that Seller, his or her agents or assigns, will not, prior or
               subsequent to close of escrow, be responsible for the repair, replacement, or
               modification of any deficiencies, malfunctions or mechanical defects in the material,
               workmanship, or mechanical components of the structures, improvements, or land,
               including but not limited to: heating, plumbing, electrical or sewage disposal system,
               well or other water supply system, drainage or moisture conditions, foundations, air
               conditioning, hot water heater, pools, spas, solar systems, appliances, roof, or damage
               by or presence of pests, mold, or other organisms. This provision supersedes all other
               provisions in the Purchase Agreement regarding the condition of the Property (except
               those relating to destruction of improvements, risk of loss, compliance with local laws
               applicable to the sale or transfer of property, and leaving property free of debris and
               personal property). However, Seller agrees the Property (including all structures,
               pool, spa, grounds and landscaping) will be maintained and delivered to Buyer at
               close of escrow in the same or better condition than as of the date of acceptance or, if
               there is an inspection contingency, as of the time the inspection contingency is
               removed.”
¶ 14       Section 16 also addresses inspections. Subsection (c) states that the buyer has been
       advised to carefully inspect the property personally and to obtain inspection reports from
       qualified experts regarding all systems and features of the property. Subsection (d) states that
       the seller agrees to permit buyers and their representatives access to the property to complete
       inspections. Subsection (e) provides that the buyer will notify the seller in writing, within the
       stated inspection period, whether the condition of the property is acceptable.
¶ 15       Subsections (f) and (g) of section 16 address matters related to disclosure and reliance:
                   “f. Buyer is not relying upon Seller or Seller’s agent to investigate and report on
               the condition of the Property other than conditions known by the Seller or Seller’s
               agent and noted on any disclosure statements that have been provided. In all other
               respects, Buyer agrees that he or she is relying exclusively upon Buyer’s own
               inspection and that of experts retained by Buyer as to the condition of the physical
               features of the Property and location of the boundary lines.
                   g. The parties understand that, even though this is an ‘AS IS’ sale, the Seller is
               obligated by law to reveal all known defects of a material nature of which the Seller is
               aware. The parties do not intend by this Addendum to waive any provision of the law
               requiring that the Seller or the agents furnish disclosure statements, nor do the parties
               intend to waive any provisions of local laws requiring inspections or reports.”
¶ 16       Section 17 of the Agreement states that the buyer, at his expense, shall have the right to
       have the property inspected and then notify the seller of his acceptance or rejection of the
       property or on what additional conditions the buyer would accept the property.
¶ 17       Section 18 of the Agreement addresses the tenant estoppel certificates and states: “Prior
       to the close of escrow, Seller shall deliver estoppel certificates signed by each tenant who has
       a lease agreement affecting the Property.” The estoppel certificate is required to include

                                                   -5-
       substantive facts regarding the lease or rental agreement. This section further provides that
       the seller agrees to immediately notify the buyer of any breach of a lease that occurs after
       delivery of an estoppel certificate and before the close of escrow. The seller warrants that all
       provisions within the estoppel certificate shall be accurate and that the warranties shall
       survive the close of escrow.
¶ 18       The plaintiff attached Dollar General’s estoppel certificate to the second amended
       complaint. Therein, Dollar General stated that as of June 27, 2014, the landlord was not in
       default under the lease. The plaintiff also attached the certified letters regarding needed
       repairs which Dollar General addressed initially to the Trust and subsequently to the plaintiff.
       In these certified letters, Dollar General notified the landlord that the parking lot, the delivery
       area, the roof and gutters, and the drainage ditch were in disrepair.
¶ 19       The receipts for these repairs and correspondence between the parties were also attached
       to and incorporated in the second amended complaint. The repair bills totaled $8973. Finally,
       the plaintiff attached correspondence regarding the repair bills. In a letter dated November
       26, 2014, and addressed to David G. Schneidewind of Schneidewind Insurance Agency and
       Gregory Fitzgerald of the Tri-Oak Consulting Group, plaintiff’s counsel states that the
       plaintiff is seeking reimbursement of $8973 for repairs to the building and parking lot.
       Counsel stated that the sellers and the listing agent had an obligation of full disclosure where
       the buyer could not personally inspect the property, and he requested immediate
       reimbursement of the sums expended to repair the property. Subsequently, in a letter dated
       January 4, 2015, from the plaintiff to David G. Schneidewind and Tri-Oak Consulting Group,
       the plaintiff noted that neither Schneidewind nor Tri-Oak had responded to the letter from
       plaintiff’s counsel. The plaintiff further noted that David G. Schneidewind and Tri-Oak had
       attempted to make repairs of the paving and the broken parking bumpers and that these
       attempts demonstrated an admission of liability. The plaintiff stated that the repairs were not
       properly performed and that the plaintiff then paid for proper repairs. The plaintiff again
       demanded reimbursement of $8973.
¶ 20       The defendants filed their respective combined motions to dismiss the second complaint
       pursuant to section 2-619.1 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-619.1 (West 2014)). Only the motions
       pursuant to section 2-619 are at issue in this appeal. Defendant Evelyn J. Schneidewind,
       individually and in her capacity as trustee of the Trust, filed a motion to dismiss under
       section 2-619(a)(9). Evelyn J. Schneidewind, individually, asserted that she was neither a
       party to the real estate contract in question nor a real estate agent or broker in the sale of the
       property and that these affirmative matters defeated the claims in the plaintiff’s second
       amended complaint. Evelyn J. Schneidewind, individually and as trustee of the Trust,
       asserted that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by an affirmative matter in that under the
       terms of the Agreement, the commercial property was sold “as is” and that notices of the
       need for maintenance were sent by Dollar General and received by defendant Trust after the
       property was sold to the plaintiff. Evelyn J. Schneidewind, individually and as trustee of the
       Trust, also moved to dismiss count III under section 2-619(a)(9) on the grounds that the
       defendants were not engaged in conduct involving trade or commerce as required under the
       Consumer Fraud Act.
¶ 21       In support of the motion, defendant Evelyn J. Schneidewind relied on the Agreement and
       Dollar General’s estoppel certificate. She also submitted her own affidavit, the affidavit of
       Gregory Fitzgerald, a trustees’ deed, and other documents in support of her motion to

                                                    -6-
       dismiss. In her affidavit, Evelyn J. Schneidewind averred that she was not the legal owner,
       seller, or real estate agent or broker of the subject property and that she had never spoken
       with the plaintiff. The affidavit of Gregory Fitzgerald states that he was the president of
       Tri-Oak Consulting Group, that he was the sole listing broker for the subject property, and
       that he did not split or share a commission with Evelyn J. Schneidewind or any of the other
       named defendants in the case. The trustees’ deed indicates that the Trust conveyed the
       subject property to the plaintiff on July 16, 2014. The deed was filed in the office of the
       recorder of deeds on July 21, 2014.
¶ 22       Defendant Evelyn J. Schneidewind also attached the certified letter, dated July 15, 2014,
       from Dollar General and a copy of a United States Postal Service tracking document
       indicating that the certified letter was delivered to the Trust on July 17, 2014. Evelyn J.
       Schneidewind noted that Dollar General had purportedly sent the certified letter by e-mail.
       She averred that she did not receive an e-mail from Dollar General on July 15, 2014, because
       the e-mail address used by Dollar General had not been active since July 2010. She attached
       a notice from her former Internet service provider, Verizon, which stated that her e-mail
       account would be serviced by another provider, effective July 1, 2010.
¶ 23       Defendant Schneidewind Insurance Agency moved to dismiss the claims against it under
       section 2-619(a)(9). Schneidewind Insurance Agency asserted that it was not a party to the
       real estate contract in question, that it did not act as a real estate agent or broker regarding the
       sale of the subject property, and that it was not a beneficiary of the Trust. Schneidewind
       Insurance Agency argued that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by the aforementioned
       affirmative matters. Schneidewind Insurance Agency attached copies of the trustees’ deed,
       the affidavit by Gregory Fitzgerald, and two affidavits by David G. Schneidewind in support
       of its motion to dismiss. In an affidavit regarding Schneidewind Insurance Agency, David G.
       Schneidewind stated that he was the president of Schneidewind Insurance Agency; that
       Schneidewind Insurance Agency was engaged in the sale of auto, home, and life insurance
       policies; that it has never engaged in the business of real estate sales or brokerage; and that it
       has never held out David G. Schneidewind as a realtor. David G. Schneidewind further
       averred that Scheidewind Insurance Agency was neither the owner nor the seller of the
       subject property. In his personal affidavit, David G. Schneidewind averred that he was
       neither the owner nor the seller of the subject property, that he was not the trustee of the
       Trust, and that he had never been a real estate agent or broker. He further averred that he had
       never spoken to the plaintiff.
¶ 24       Defendant David G. Schneidewind also moved to dismiss the claims against him under
       section 2-619(a)(9). David G. Schneidewind asserted that he was not a party to the real estate
       contract in question and that he did not act as a real estate agent or broker regarding the sale
       of the subject property. He attached the trustees’ deed, the affidavit by Gregory Fitzgerald,
       and his personal affidavit in support of his motion.
¶ 25       Finally, Advantage Realty moved to dismiss the claims against it under section
       2-619(a)(9). Advantage Realty asserted that it was not the broker, realtor, or agent for any
       party to the sale of the property in question; that it was not a coagent or cobroker; and that it
       was not a beneficiary under the Trust. Defendant Advantage Realty attached an affidavit by
       its president and owner, David G. Schneidewind. David G. Schneidewind averred that his
       company did not act as a real estate agent or broker for the subject property and that it did not
       share in any of the fees or commissions regarding the sale of that property.

                                                    -7-
¶ 26       The defendants’ motions to dismiss were argued before the trial court on December 10,
       2015. Following the arguments, the trial court issued an order in which it granted the
       defendants’ motions to dismiss pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) but denied both the request
       for attorney fees under a “fee-shifting” provision in the Agreement and the motions for
       sanctions under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137 (eff. July 1, 2013). The plaintiff appealed
       the order of dismissal, and the defendants filed a cross-appeal, challenging the order denying
       their requests for attorney fees and sanctions.

¶ 27                                          DISCUSSION
¶ 28        Before considering the issues raised in the plaintiff’s appeal, we first address the
       plaintiff’s motion to supplement the record on appeal and alternative motion for sanctions,
       which were taken with the case. Prior to oral arguments, the plaintiff filed a motion to
       supplement the record on appeal with a page of the Agreement that had been left out when a
       copy of the Agreement was filed. The plaintiff claims that the omitted page contains a
       provision which conflicts with the “as is” provision in the Agreement and that the Agreement
       cannot be properly construed in the absence of this provision. The plaintiff further claims that
       the defendants initially filed an incomplete copy of the Agreement and that the defendants
       acted in bad faith in persisting to argue that the “as is” provision excused the seller from any
       responsibility for the repairs once they became aware that the omitted page contained a
       provision contrary to the “as is” provision. The plaintiff seeks leave to supplement the record
       on appeal to include the omitted page pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 329 (eff. Jan.
       1, 2006) or alternatively a sanction for the defendants’ misconduct. The defendants filed
       objections in response to the plaintiff’s motion to supplement and alternative motion for
       sanctions. The defendants argue that a party cannot supplement the record on appeal with a
       document which was not part of the trial court’s record. The defendants also argue that the
       plaintiff’s motion for sanctions is groundless and should be denied.
¶ 29        Illinois Supreme Court Rule 329 provides that a record may be supplemented on appeal
       to supply omissions, to correct errors, and to settle controversies about whether the record
       accurately reflects what occurred in the trial court. Ill. S. Ct. R. 329 (eff. Jan. 1, 2006). Under
       the rule, the record may only be supplemented with documents that were actually before the
       trial court. Deason v. Gutzler, 251 Ill. App. 3d 630, 631, 622 N.E.2d 1276, 1278 (1993). In
       this case, the omitted page of the Agreement was not before the trial court and therefore may
       not be considered on review. In addition, the plaintiff has not shown that the defendants’
       objection to the motion to supplement was made for an improper purpose. Accordingly, the
       plaintiff’s motion to supplement the record on appeal and alternative motion for sanctions are
       denied.

¶ 30                                      The Plaintiff’s Appeal
¶ 31       On appeal, the plaintiff challenges the trial court’s order granting the defendants’ motions
       to dismiss his complaint with prejudice pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) (735 ILCS
       5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2014)). The plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in dismissing his
       action where the defendants failed to show that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by an
       affirmative matter that defeats his claim.
¶ 32       A motion to dismiss under section 2-619(a)(9) admits the legal sufficiency of the
       plaintiff’s complaint but asserts that the claim against the defendant is barred by an

                                                    -8-
       affirmative matter that avoids the legal effect of or defeats the claim. 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9)
       (West 2014); Sandholm v. Kuecker, 2012 IL 111443, ¶ 55, 962 N.E.2d 418. An “affirmative
       matter” is a type of defense that negates a cause of action completely or refutes critical
       conclusions of law or conclusions of material fact that are unsupported by specific factual
       allegations contained in or inferred from the complaint. Smith v. Waukegan Park District, 231
       Ill. 2d 111, 121, 896 N.E.2d 232, 238 (2008); Kedzie & 103rd Currency Exchange, Inc. v.
       Hodge, 156 Ill. 2d 112, 115, 619 N.E.2d 732, 735 (1993). The “affirmative matter” must be
       apparent on the face of the complaint or supported by affidavits or other evidentiary
       materials, and it must do more than refute a well-pleaded fact in the complaint. Epstein v.
       Chicago Board of Education, 178 Ill. 2d 370, 383, 687 N.E.2d 1042, 1049 (1997). Section
       2-619(a)(9) does not authorize the defendant to submit affidavits or evidentiary matters for
       the purposes of contesting the plaintiff’s factual allegations and presenting its version of the
       facts. Reynolds v. Jimmy John’s Enterprises, LLC, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 34, 988
       N.E.2d 984. When a defendant seeks to address the complaint’s factual allegations, a
       summary judgment motion is the appropriate procedural tool. Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th)
       120139, ¶ 34, 988 N.E.2d 984. The defendant has the initial burden of establishing that an
       affirmative matter defeats the plaintiff’s claim, and if satisfied, the burden shifts to the
       plaintiff to demonstrate that the proffered affirmative matter is either unfounded or requires
       the resolution of a material fact. Epstein, 178 Ill. 2d at 383, 687 N.E.2d at 1049; Hodge, 156
       Ill. 2d at 116, 619 N.E.2d at 735.
¶ 33        When ruling on a motion to dismiss under section 2-619(a)(9), the trial court must accept
       as true all well-pleaded facts in the plaintiff’s complaint and all reasonable inferences that
       may be drawn, and it must construe the pleadings and supporting documents in a light most
       favorable to the nonmoving party. Sandholm, 2012 IL 111443, ¶ 55, 962 N.E.2d 418. The
       motion should be granted only if the plaintiff can prove no set of facts that would support his
       cause of action. In re Estate of Boyar, 2013 IL 113655, ¶ 27, 986 N.E.2d 1170. A motion to
       dismiss under section 2-619(a)(9) presents a question of law that is reviewed de novo. In re
       Estate of Boyar, 2013 IL 113655, ¶ 27, 986 N.E.2d 1170.
¶ 34        In this case, the defendants argued that the plaintiff’s complaint should be dismissed
       pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) because the “as is” provision in the Agreement constitutes an
       affirmative matter that bars or otherwise defeats the allegations in the plaintiff’s complaint.
       We do not agree. Initially, we note that the defendants’ argument is based on their
       interpretations of one provision in the Agreement. Under ordinary principles of contract law,
       a contract must be construed as a whole, viewing each provision in light of the others.
       Gallagher v. Lenart, 226 Ill. 2d 208, 233, 874 N.E.2d 43, 58 (2007). The intent of the parties
       is not to be derived from any clause or provision standing by itself. Gallagher, 226 Ill. 2d at
       233, 874 N.E.2d at 58. Thus, we will not construe the “as is” provision of the Agreement in
       isolation.
¶ 35        In reviewing the Agreement, we note that it contains several provisions which delineate
       the seller’s duties, warranties, and covenants, many of which were set forth earlier in this
       decision. These provisions must be read in conjunction with the “as is” provision. For
       example, in section 10, the seller warrants that until the closing it will maintain the property
       in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted; that each lease affecting the property is
       in effect and free from default; and that, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, all documents
       that it has delivered to the buyer are complete and accurate. Section 10 further states that the

                                                  -9-
       seller’s warranties, covenants, and representations shall survive the close of escrow. Section
       16 of the Agreement states that even though this is an “AS IS” sale, the seller is obligated by
       law to reveal all known defects of a material nature of which the seller is aware and that the
       parties do not intend to waive any provision of the law requiring that the seller or the agents
       furnish disclosure statements. Section 18 states that prior to the close of escrow, the seller
       shall deliver to the buyer an estoppel certificate, which is signed by the tenant and which
       includes substantive facts regarding the lease or rental agreement, that the seller agrees to
       immediately notify the buyer of any breach of a lease that occurs after delivery of an estoppel
       certificate and before the close of escrow, and that the seller warrants that all provisions
       within the estoppel certificate shall be accurate and that this warranty survives closing.
       Contrary to the defendants’ contention, it was not the plaintiff’s responsibility to request an
       updated estoppel certificate prior to the closing. Section 18 of the Agreement places the
       burden squarely on the shoulders of the seller to notify the buyer of any breach of the lease
       that occurs after delivery of an estoppel certificate and before the close of escrow.
       Considering the Agreement as a whole, the “as is” provision is subject to exceptions,
       limitations, and potential conflicts when considered with other provisions in the Agreement.
       Other provisions temper and modify the “as is” provision. Further, the “as is” provision is not
       an affirmative matter that would preclude the plaintiff from alleging that he acted in reliance
       upon the accuracy of the various disclosures and the Trust’s covenant to warranty the
       estoppel certificate. Napcor Corp. v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, 406 Ill. App. 3d 146, 938
       N.E.2d 1181 (2010). Thus, we find that the “as is” provision does not constitute an
       affirmative matter that avoids the legal effect of or defeats any of the claims in the plaintiff’s
       second amended complaint.
¶ 36       Next, we consider whether the materials submitted by defendants Evelyn J.
       Schneidewind, individually, David G. Schneidewind, Schneidewind Insurance Agency, and
       Advantage Realty constituted an “affirmative matter” under section 2-619(a)(9) so as to
       defeat plaintiff’s allegations of fraud and consumer fraud. Each of the defendants submitted
       affidavits stating that these defendants were not owners, sellers, brokers, or realtors of the
       subject property. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had higher duties to disclose based
       on their various roles. The plaintiff argued that his pleadings allege relationships that may
       constitute enterprise liability. The affidavits do not address these allegations, and we must
       accept as true all well-pleaded allegations and reasonable inferences. We note that discovery
       has not commenced on these issues. Because the record is not yet fully developed, it is
       difficult to determine whether one or more of the named defendants may have held a special
       relationship that would have included a duty to disclose defects in the property or breaches of
       the lease. A motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) is not a substitute for a
       summary judgment motion. Reynolds, 2013 IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 53, 988 N.E.2d 984. In
       this case, the defendant’s evidentiary materials did not constitute affirmative matters that
       defeat the plaintiff’s claims.
¶ 37       After reviewing the record, we conclude that the trial court erred in granting the
       defendants’ motions to dismiss under section 2-619(a)(9). Accordingly, the order dismissing
       the second amended complaint with prejudice is reversed, and the cause remanded for further
       proceedings.

                                                   - 10 -
¶ 38                                     Defendants’ Cross-Appeal
¶ 39        On cross-appeal, the defendants initially argue that the trial court erred in denying the
       Trust’s request for an award of attorney fees and costs under a “fee-shifting” provision in the
       real estate sales contract. Here, we have reversed the trial court’s order of dismissal, and we
       remanded the case for further proceedings. At this stage of proceedings, there is no
       “prevailing party.” Therefore, we have no occasion to consider arguments regarding the
       interpretation and application of the “fee-shifting” provision in the Agreement.
¶ 40        The defendants also argue that the trial court erred in denying their motions for sanctions
       pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137. Under Rule 137, a trial court, in its discretion,
       may impose sanctions against a party for filing a pleading that is not well grounded in fact;
       not supported by existing law or by good-faith argument for modification, reversal, or
       extension of the law; or is instituted for an improper purpose such as harassment. Ill. S. Ct. R.
       137(a) (eff. July 1, 2013). Rule 137 allows but does not require the imposition of sanctions.
       Lake Environmental, Inc. v. Arnold, 2015 IL 118110, ¶ 15, 39 N.E.3d 992. The decision
       regarding the imposition of sanctions under Rule 137 is committed to the sound discretion of
       the trial court, and its decision will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion. Dowd &
       Dowd, Ltd. v. Gleason, 181 Ill. 2d 460, 487, 693 N.E.2d 358, 372 (1998). In this case, the
       trial court determined that the plaintiff’s pleadings were neither frivolous nor brought for an
       improper purpose and denied the defendants’ motions for sanctions. After reviewing the
       record, we do not find that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the defendants’
       motion for sanctions.
¶ 41        Finally, the defendants asked this court to enter sanctions against the plaintiff under
       Illinois Supreme Court Rule 375 (eff. Feb. 1, 1994) for filing a frivolous appeal. Under Rule
       375(b), an appropriate sanction may be imposed if an appeal is deemed frivolous or not taken
       in good faith. Ill. S. Ct. R. 375(b) (eff. Feb. 1, 1994). In this case, we do not find that the
       plaintiff’s appeal is frivolous or that it was taken for an improper purpose. The defendants’
       motion for sanctions under Rule 375 is denied.

¶ 42                                         CONCLUSION
¶ 43      For the reasons stated, the judgment of the circuit court dismissing the plaintiff’s second
       amended complaint with prejudice is reversed, the order denying the defendants’ motion for
       sanctions is affirmed, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings.

¶ 44      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, cause remanded.

                                                  - 11 -