Court Opinion

ID: 3147758
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:36:49.761228+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:10:38.611368
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                        Appellate Court

              United Airlines, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 2011 IL App (1st) 102299

Appellate Court            UNITED AIRLINES, INC., Plaintiff-Appellee, v. THE CITY OF
Caption                    CHICAGO, Defendant-Appellant.

District & No.             First District, First Division
                           Docket No. 1–10–2299

Filed                      June 13, 2011

Held                       In response to a certified question pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308,
(Note: This syllabus as to whether the 1-year limitations period of the Tort Immunity Act
constitutes no part of the barred plaintiff's claim arising out of a single event seeking recovery for
opinion of the court but property damage and other related losses against defendant city when
has been prepared by the plaintiff was also a party to a contract with the city and filed a complaint
Reporter of Decisions for alleging a breach of contract claim seeking recovery of property damage
the convenience of the and other related losses within the 10-year limitation period for actions
reader.)                   on written contracts, the appellate court answered that the facts pleaded
                           in plaintiff's complaint based on a collision between plaintiff's airplane
                           and defendant's truck during takeoff alleged that the city's liability
                           emanated from a breach of its contractual obligations to keep the
                           airfield area free of foreign matter, to comply with federal regulations,
                           to yield the right-of-way to the airplane and to provide insurance
                           proceeds to cover plaintiff's loss, and therefore plaintiff's action
                           constituted an action on a written contract such that the 10-year
                           limitations period set forth in section 13–206 of the Code of Civil
                           Procedure applied and the 1-year limitations period in section 8–101 of
                           the Tort Immunity Act did not bar plaintiff's claim.
Decision Under              Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, No. 10–CH–04169; the
Review                      Hon. Mary Anne Mason, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                    Certified question answered; cause remanded.

Counsel on                  SmithAmundsen, LLC, of Chicago (Brandt R. Madsen, of counsel), for
Appeal                      appellant.

                            Baker & Daniels, LLP, of Chicago (Ernest Summers III and Trina K.
                            Taylor, of counsel), for appellee.

Panel                       JUSTICE ROCHFORD delivered the judgment of the court, with
                            opinion.
                            Presiding Justice Hall and Justice Hoffman concur with the judgment.

                                              OPINION

¶1           The issue before us on this Rule 308 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 308 (eff. Feb. 26, 2010)) appeal is
        whether the one-year limitations period for civil actions against government entities set forth
        in section 8–101 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity
        Act (the Tort Immunity Act) (745 ILCS 10/8–101 (West 2010)) applies to United Airlines,
        Inc.’s (United) breach of contract action against the city of Chicago (City). United’s contract
        action arose out of a collision between a United plane and a City truck that resulted in
        property damage and loss of use of the plane. For the reasons that follow, we hold that the
        10-year limitations period for actions on written contracts set forth in section 13–206 of the
        Code of Civil Procedure (the Code) (735 ILCS 5/13–206 (West 2010)), and not the 1-year
        limitations period of section 8–101 of the Tort Immunity Act, applies here.
¶2           United filed a two-count complaint for declaratory judgment and breach of contract
        against the City. The City filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2–619.1 of the Code
        (735 ILCS 5/2–619.1 (West 2010)), arguing that: (1) both counts of the complaint failed to
        state a cause of action and should be dismissed pursuant to section 2–615 of the Code (735
        ILCS 5/2–615 (West 2010)); and (2) both counts should be dismissed pursuant to section
        2–619(a)(5) of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2–619(a)(5) (West 2010)) as they were thinly veiled
        tort actions that are barred by the one-year statute of limitations of section 8–101 of the Tort
        Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/8–101 (West 2010)). The circuit court dismissed the declaratory
        judgment count for reasons unrelated to this appeal and that count is not before us. As to the

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     breach of contract count, the circuit court found that it stated a cause of action in all respects
     except for its failure to allege that United had complied with the contract. Accordingly, the
     court granted the City’s section 2–615 motion to dismiss, but granted United leave to
     replead. Meanwhile, the court denied the City’s section 2–619(a)(5) motion to dismiss the
     breach of contract count, finding that it was timely filed within the 10-year limitations period
     for actions on written contracts. See 735 ILCS 5/13–206 (West 2010).
¶3        United subsequently filed its amended verified complaint, in which it repleaded count
     I (for declaratory judgment) solely for the purpose of preserving the circuit court’s dismissal
     for review. United repleaded count II for breach of contract and included therein the
     additional language that it had complied with the contract. Count II is the only count before
     us.
¶4        Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 308 (eff. Feb. 26, 2010)), the court
     certified the following question for our review:
               “Does the one-year limitation period in [section 8–101 of the Tort Immunity Act]
               also bar a claim arising out of a single event seeking recovery for resultant property
               damage and other related losses against a governmental entity when the plaintiff is
               also a party to a contract with the governmental entity and has filed within the 10-
               year limitation period for actions on written contracts a breach of contract claim
               seeking recovery of property damage and related other losses?”
¶5        We allowed the City’s petition for interlocutory appeal and accepted the certified
     question for immediate appellate review. Review is de novo. Barbara’s Sales, Inc. v. Intel
     Corp., 227 Ill. 2d 45, 57-58 (2007); Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. v. Bowman, 229 Ill. 2d
     461, 466 (2008).
¶6        Generally, where both a tort and a contract cause of action arise out of the same fact
     pattern, plaintiff may proceed with the theory of his choice. Board of Education of
     Community Consolidated School District No. 54 v. Del Bianco & Associates, Inc., 57 Ill.
     App. 3d 302, 306 (1978). United argues that it proceeded under a contract action, which is
     subject to the 10-year limitations for actions on written contracts set forth in section 13–206
     of the Code. Section 13–206 states in pertinent part: “[A]ctions on *** written contracts ***
     shall be commenced within 10 years next after the cause of action accrued.” 735 ILCS
     5/13–206 (West 2010).
¶7        The City responds that although United titled its action as one for “breach of contract,”
     it is in actuality a negligence claim that is subject to the one-year limitations period set forth
     in section 8–101 of the Tort Immunity Act. Section 8–101 states in pertinent part:
                   “(a) No civil action *** may be commenced in any court against a local entity or
               any of its employees for any injury unless it is commenced within one year from the
               date that the injury was received or the cause of action accrued.
                   ***
                   (c) For purposes of this Article, the term ‘civil action’ includes any action,
               whether based upon the common law or statutes or Constitution of this State.” 745
               ILCS 10/8–101(a), (c) (West 2010).

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¶8          Initially, we note that, on its face, section 8–101 applies to “any” civil action such that
       its one-year statute of limitations seemingly would apply to either a tort action or a breach
       of contract action against the City. However, we recently have held that section 2–101 of the
       Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2–101 (West 2010)) operates to exclude certain
       enumerated exceptions listed therein from the one-year limitations period set forth in section
       8–101. Harvest Church of Our Lord v. City of East St. Louis, 407 Ill. App. 3d 649 (2011).
       An action based on a contract is one such exception listed in section 2–101 that is excluded
       from the one-year limitations period of section 8–101. See 745 ILCS 10/2–101(a) (West
       2010). Accordingly, while a tort action against the City is subject to the 1-year limitations
       period of section 8–101 of the Tort Immunity Act, an action against the City for breach of
       a written contract remains subject to the 10-year limitations period set forth in section
       13–206 of the Code.
¶9          To determine which limitations period applies here, we evaluate the complaint to
       ascertain the true character of United’s cause of action. Madigan ex rel. Department of
       Healthcare & Family Services v. Yballe, 397 Ill. App. 3d 481, 488 (2009). “ ‘[T]he
       determination of the applicable statute of limitations is governed by the type of injury at
       issue, irrespective of the pleader’s designation of the nature of the action.’ ” Bowman, 229
       Ill. 2d at 466 (quoting Armstrong v. Guigler, 174 Ill. 2d 281, 286 (1996)). The title a plaintiff
       employs to describe his cause of action is not dispositive as to the true nature of that action
       or to the limitations period that applies thereto. Yballe, 397 Ill. App. 3d at 488. “A party
       simply may not circumvent a shorter period of limitations, or attempt to breathe new life into
       a stale claim, merely by means of artful pleading.” Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 287.
¶ 10        The essence of a contractual action is found in the contract’s promissory language.
       Bowman, 229 Ill. 2d at 467; Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 291. A cause of action constitutes an
       action on a written contract within the meaning of the 10-year limitations period set forth in
       section 13–206 of the Code only when “liability emanates from the breach of a contractual
       obligation.” Bowman, 229 Ill. 2d at 467; Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 291. “ ‘As long as the
       gravamen of the complaint rests on the nonperformance of a contractual obligation, section
       13–206 applies.’ ” Bowman, 229 Ill. 2d at 467 (quoting Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 291).
¶ 11        In the present case, review of count II of United’s amended verified complaint reveals
       that its cause of action constitutes an action on a written contract within the meaning of
       section 13–206. Specifically, United alleged that on January 1, 1985, it entered into an
       amended and restated airport use agreement and terminal facilities lease (the contract) with
       the City. The contract, which United attached to its complaint, sets forth the respective rights
       and obligations of both parties with respect to the use of Chicago O’Hare International
       Airport (the Airport). Among other things, the contract allows United to “conduct any
       operations or activities *** reasonably related to the landing, taking-off, flying, moving,
       loading, unloading or ramp servicing of aircraft or the movement of passengers.” The
       contract allows the City to collect certain fees from United.
¶ 12        The contract requires United to maintain and repair the premises to which the contract
       gives it exclusive use, and to keep its designated aircraft parking areas clear of debris. The
       City is required to “maintain and keep in good repair *** all of the areas and facilities of the
       Airport” and to operate and maintain the airport “in a reasonably prudent manner and in

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       accordance with the rules, regulations and orders of any federal or state agency having
       jurisdiction with respect thereto.” The contract also requires the City to “use its best efforts
       to keep the Airport open and in operation for landings and take-offs of aircraft” and “take all
       actions necessary to keep the Terminal Area, the Airfield Area and the Terminal Support
       Area clear of snow, ice, debris, vegetation and other foreign matter.” The contract defines
       “Airfield Area” to include “taxiways and taxilanes at the Airport for the ground movement
       of aircraft to, from and between the Runways, Aircraft Parking Areas, and other portions of
       the Airport.” The contract further requires the City to purchase comprehensive general public
       liability insurance.
¶ 13        United alleged that on February 2, 2005, United flight 881 was cleared to depart the
       Airport via taxiway-A to runway 32L. Ground control informed United flight 881 that further
       instructions would be given as the flight approached taxiway A-12 and that the crew should
       expect an immediate takeoff. United flight 881’s captain and first officer confirmed that the
       airplane was centered on taxiway-A and proceeded as instructed by ground control. However,
       there was a City truck in the grass to the right side of taxiway-A between A11 and A12
       which the City had failed to disclose to ground control. The undisclosed City truck
       obstructed the path of United flight 881, resulting in a collision between the truck and the
       airplane’s number four engine. The collision caused damages to the airplane requiring
       $1,434,182.98 in repairs, and the plane was out of service during the months in which it was
       repaired, which caused further damages to United.
¶ 14        United alleged that the City was contractually obligated to keep the airfield area clear of
       foreign matter and that the City breached this portion of the contract when it drove its truck
       onto the grass on the right side of taxiway-A between A11 and A12 without disclosing its
       presence to ground control. United further alleged that the City breached the contract by
       failing to conspicuously mark the truck or provide the requisite notification of its presence
       as required by certain federal airport regulations (FARs), which are incorporated by reference
       into the contract. United also alleged that the City breached the contract by failing to yield
       the right-of-way on taxiway-A to the United airplane and by failing to provide insurance
       proceeds to cover its loss. United requested damages sufficient to reimburse it for the
       expenditures made to repair the airplane and to compensate it for the loss of use of the
       airplane.
¶ 15        Our foregoing evaluation of count II of United’s amended verified complaint reveals that
       the City’s claimed liability emanates from the alleged breach of contractual obligations and
       that the gravamen of said complaint rests on the alleged nonperformance of contractual
       obligations; accordingly, the cause of action constitutes an action on a written contract such
       that the 10-year limitations period set forth in section 13–206 applies.
¶ 16        The City argues, though, that United’s claim arises from a single event (the collision
       between the City’s truck and United’s airplane) resulting in property damage and, as such,
       that United’s claim sounds in tort rather than contract. See Mars, Inc. v. Heritage Builders
       of Effingham, Inc., 327 Ill. App. 3d 346, 351 (2002) (holding that “tort law affords a remedy
       for losses occasioned by personal injuries or damage to one’s property, but contract law ***
       [citation] offer[s] the appropriate remedy for economic losses occasioned by diminished
       commercial expectations not coupled with injury to person or property”); Board of Education

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       of City of Chicago v. A, C & S, Inc., 131 Ill. 2d 428, 441 (1989) (holding that, generally, “the
       defect in a tort claim results in either personal injury or property damage” and that
       “[t]ypically, the manner in which a tort damage occurs is an accident involving some
       violence or collision with external objects”).
¶ 17        However, although tort law provides the usual remedy for losses occasioned by property
       damage resulting from a collision, it is not the only remedy when such losses also resulted
       from a contractual breach. Our supreme court has held that a party can recover damages in
       a breach of contract action where the damages naturally and generally result from the breach
       or where the damages were the consequence of special or unusual circumstances and were
       foreseeable and within the reasonable contemplation of the parties at the time the contract
       was entered into. See Midland Hotel Corp. v. Reuben H. Donnelly Corp., 118 Ill. 2d 306, 318
       (1987). In the present case, United has pleaded damages resulting from the special or unusual
       circumstance of a collision between its plane and a City truck that was present in the grass
       to the right side of taxiway-A in violation of their contract. If these allegations are proved,
       a trier of fact could find that United’s damages were recoverable in the breach of contract
       action because they were foreseeable and within the reasonable contemplation of the parties
       at the time they entered into the contract for the City to keep the airfield area clear of foreign
       matter. The City argues that its truck did not constitute foreign matter within the meaning of
       the contract; however, that is a question for the trier of fact to determine.
¶ 18        We also note that in addition to the allegation of property damage to its plane, United
       alleges loss of use of the plane while it was repaired. Damages for loss of use are recoverable
       in a breach of contract action where the breach deprives a plaintiff of the use of personal
       property. Wilson v. DiCosola, 352 Ill. App. 3d 223, 225 (2004).
¶ 19        The City argues that the contract lacks consideration because the City’s obligations under
       the contract were based on preexisting duties. This issue is beyond the scope of the certified
       question and is not properly raised here. See Barbara’s Sales, 227 Ill. 2d at 57-58 (“We are
       limited to the question certified by the trial court ***.”).
¶ 20        The City argues that United’s claim for breach of contract relies heavily on FARs outside
       the contract and, as such, the contract must be deemed oral such that the five-year statute of
       limitations for oral contracts applies. See 735 ILCS 5/13–205 (West 2010). The City argues
       that this issue is relevant to the certified question because a finding that the contract was oral
       instead of written would prevent us from finding that the 10-year limitations period for
       written contracts is properly applied here. The purpose of the City’s argument is unclear,
       because United’s complaint was filed within five years of the occurrence and therefore its
       cause of action would not be barred by the statute of limitations for oral contracts.
       Regardless, we disagree with the City’s argument that the contract here was oral and not
       written. A contract is considered written for statute of limitations purposes where all the
       essential terms are reduced to writing and ascertainable from the instrument itself.
       Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 288. Here, United attached the 93-page contract to the amended
       verified complaint; review thereof indicates that the contract provides for the respective
       parties’ rights and obligations with respect to the use of the Airport. The contract
       incorporates therein, and makes part of the contract, all rules, regulations and orders of any
       federal or state agency having jurisdiction with respect thereto. The incorporation of the

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       rules, regulations, and orders (including the FARs at issue) into the written contract satisfies
       the writing requirement. The contract here is a written one subject to the 10-year limitations
       period set forth in section 13–206.
¶ 21        The City cites several cases in which the reviewing court found that the 10-year
       limitations period of section 13–206 (or the predecessor thereto) did not apply because an
       evaluation of the complaint revealed that the alleged liability at issue did not emanate from
       breach of contract. See Yballe, 397 Ill. App. 3d at 487-91; Armstrong, 174 Ill. 2d at 292-94;
       Schreiber v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., 38 Ill. App. 3d 556 (1976). The City also cites
       Handtoffski v. Chicago Consolidated Traction Co., 274 Ill. 282 (1916), in which the supreme
       court held that the five-year limitations period for an action in assumpsit for a tortious breach
       of an implied contract did not apply to a cause of action seeking damages for injury to the
       person. Each of the cited cases turns on the facts pleaded in its particular complaint. Here,
       the facts pleaded in United’s complaint reveal that the City’s claimed liability emanates from
       its alleged breach of contractual obligations to keep the airfield area free of foreign matter,
       to comply with pertinent federal regulations, to yield the right-of-way to the airplane, and to
       provide insurance proceeds to cover the loss. The cause of action here constitutes an action
       on a written contract such that the 10-year limitations period set forth in section 13–206
       applies.
¶ 22        Therefore, in answer to the question certified by the circuit court, the one-year limitation
       period set forth in section 8–101 of the Tort Immunity Act does not bar United’s claim here
       against the City for breach of contract.
¶ 23        Certified question answered; cause remanded.

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