Court Opinion

ID: 4169786
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-05-18 20:13:24.848706+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:52.239909
License: Public Domain

2017 IL App (1st) 162142

                                                                          FIRST DIVISION
                                                                          May 8, 2017

No. 1-16-2142

JOHN N. DORE d/b/a John N. Dore and                 )      Appeal from the
Associates,                                         )      Circuit Court of
                                                    )      Cook County.
       Plaintiff-Appellant,                         )
                                                    )
v.                                                  )
                                                    )
CARLOS QUEZADA, JR., and                            )      No. 14 M1 147913
TAPAS QUEZADA, INC.,                                )
                                                    )
       Defendants,                                  )
                                                    )
(Baongoc Aggen and Broadview Cooperative            )
Apartments, Inc.,                                   )      Honorable
                                                    )      Daniel J. Kubasiak,
       Third-Party Respondents-Appellees).          )      Judge Presiding.

       JUSTICE HARRIS delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
       Justices Simon and Mikva concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                              OPINION

¶1     Plaintiff-appellant, John N. Dore d/b/a John N. Dore and Associates, obtained a judgment

in Cook County circuit court against Carlos Quezada, Jr., (Quezada) and Tapas Quezada, Inc.

(Tapas Quezada) (collectively, defendants) on May 11, 2015. Plaintiff initiated supplemental

proceedings pursuant to section 2-1402 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1402

(West 2014)) with the filing of third-party citations against Baongoc Aggen and Broadview

Cooperative Apartments, Inc. (Broadview) (collectively, respondents). Plaintiff served a citation

upon Quezada by substitute service on September 28, 2015 by leaving a copy with Aggen at 918

W. Roosevelt Rd., #2-W, Broadview, Illinois (the Broadview apartment). Pursuant to the citation
No. 1-16-2142

proceeding against Broadview and Aggen, plaintiff identified Aggen’s ownership of the

Broadview apartment, arguing that it was also owned by Quezada and therefore subject to

turnover. After conducting an evidentiary hearing, the trial court found the Broadview apartment

was exclusively Aggen’s property. Accordingly, the trial court denied the motions for judgments

against respondents and terminated the proceedings. The trial court quashed Quezada’s citation

served via substitute service. This timely appeal followed.

¶2     Plaintiff raises several issues for our review on appeal: (1) the trial court committed

reversible error when it held that the evidence established Quezada held Aggen’s property in a

resulting trust, (2) the trial court erred by relying on Quezada’s affidavit, (3) the court should

have required a pleading seeking a declaration of a resulting trust, (4) the trial court erred in

failing to impose sanctions on Aggen, (5) the trial court erred in declaring Aggen could assert a

homestead exemption, and (6) the trial court erred in quashing the citation to discover assets

served upon Quezada via substitute service.

¶3                                      JURISDICTION

¶4     On July 6, 2016, the trial court entered an order dismissing the citation to discover assets

served on respondents. On August 1, 2016, plaintiff filed its notice of appeal. Accordingly, this

court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to article VI, section 6, of the Illinois Constitution

and Illinois Supreme Court Rules 301 and 304(b)(4). Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, § 6; Ill. S. Ct. R. 301

(eff. Feb. 1, 1994); R. 304(b)(4) (eff. Mar. 8, 2016).

¶5                                        BACKGROUND

¶6     On November 3, 2014, plaintiff filed a breach of contract action against defendants for

failure to remit payment associated with legal services. Defendants were served via alternative

                                                 -2­
No. 1-16-2142

service, and an ex parte judgment in the amount of $8581.88 plus costs was entered against

them.

¶7      On August 25, 2015, plaintiff served Aggen with a citation to discover assets in an

attempt to satisfy the judgment. On August 27, 2015, plaintiff served Broadview with a citation

to discover assets and notice to enforce judgment. On September 28, 2015, plaintiff attempted to

serve Quezada through substitute service on Aggen at the Broadview apartment.

¶8      On September 16, 2015, Aggen appeared on the citation’s return date. The proceeding

was continued so Aggen could produce responsive documents. In discovery, plaintiff obtained a

copy of shares of stock issued by Broadview naming Aggen and Quezada as joint tenants with

rights of survivorship. The stock was issued on August 26, 2014. Discovery also showed that

Broadview reissued the shares on September 19, 2015, removing Quezada and placing Aggen’s

parents’ name on them.

¶9      On September 24, 2015, Broadview filed an answer to the citation, stating that it held

none of Quezada’s property on the date of service. On November 20, 2015, Aggen filed an

answer in which she stated that she held none of Quezada’s property on the date of service. On

December 21, 2015, Aggen provided a response to the citation and claim of ownership of the

Broadview apartment. She provided an amended response with additional material on January

11, 2016. In her amended response, Aggen argued she was the sole owner of the apartment

shares because Quezada held the shares in a resulting trust for her benefit. She supported this

based on the fact that Quezada contributed no funds to the apartment purchase and she was the

sole signatory on all the transaction documentation. Aggen provided her affidavit along with

various documents from the purchase of the apartment. She attached the shares first issued in

                                             -3­
No. 1-16-2142

August 2014 and then reissued in September 2015. She also attached the affidavits of Quezada,

Sandra Cruz (a realtor), and her father, Nghi Truong.

¶ 10   Plaintiff filed a reply and objections to Aggen’s amended response. In his reply, plaintiff

argued that the service of the citation upon Aggen created a lien on the shares she held jointly

with Quezada. He asserted that Quezada’s removal from the shares with the assistance of

Broadview constituted a violation of the prohibition contained in the citation. He further asserted

that Aggen had to file a declaratory judgment action in order for the court to declare that there

was a resulting trust. Plaintiff also took issue with Aggen’s homestead exemption claim and the

lack of documentation concerning the source of funds for the apartment purchase. On March 2,

2016, the trial court ordered an evidentiary hearing and issued a rule to show cause against

Quezada based on his failure to appear.

¶ 11   During discovery, plaintiff also discovered that Aggen had negotiated a $1000 check

payable to herself and Quezada after she had been served with the citation. As a result of this

discovery, on April 8, 2016, plaintiff moved for the entry of judgment against Aggen and for

sanctions. The court continued the motion to the evidentiary hearing date.

¶ 12   The evidentiary hearing was held on May 11, May 20, and June 2, 2016. At the hearing,

Aggen testified regarding her relationship with Quezada and how she came to purchase the

Broadview apartment. She testified as to the source of the funds and how Quezada came to be

listed on the stock. She also testified as to the $1000 check that had been issued to her and

Quezada. She testified that the money to purchase both apartments came from her parents in

Vietnam. The money was transferred from Vietnam via an informal process that involved

Vietnamese friends loaning her money here and her father paying the families back in Vietnam.

Her father testified and explained that the funds came from the sale of his house in Vietnam. He

                                               -4­
No. 1-16-2142

also testified to the informal money transfers and explained there was no other way to transfer

funds from Vietnam to the United States and that all of his records concerning the sale and his

Vietnam bank accounts were still in Vietnam.

¶ 13   Shawn Bolger, an attorney for the seller of an apartment at 2212 S. 12th Avenue in

Broadview, Illinois, was called to testify regarding the $1000 check. Bolger testified that in

August 2015, he received a $1000 earnest money check bearing the name of Aggen and

Quezada. When the transaction did not close, he reissued the check the same way it had been

received, under the name of Aggen and Quezada. He identified the real estate contract related to

the earnest money, which only listed Aggen as purchaser. Additionally, only Aggen executed the

authorization to release earnest money.

¶ 14   Broadview’s secretary, Richard Schram, testified that he attended the Broadview

apartment closing. Only Aggen applied to join the cooperative. At the closing he discussed with

Aggen about placing someone else on the shares. He described to Aggen what a beneficiary was

but did not inform her that Quezada would appear on the stock certificates. He stated that he

provided copies of the stock a few days after the closing. He also testified that at some point

Quezada approached him about removing his name from the shares. Quezada wanted Aggen’s

parents listed in his place. Schram prepared the new shares, and Aggen signed off on the transfer.

It was Schram’s suggestion to put Quezada on the shares as a joint tenant with a right of

survivorship.

¶ 15   Lastly, Sandra Cruz testified that she acted as a real estate broker for Aggen in

connection with the Broadview apartment transaction. Aggen made the offer to buy the

apartment and provided the earnest money. “The attorney” suggested Aggen name a beneficiary,

and she explained what a beneficiary was to Aggen. None of the closing documents contained

                                               -5­
No. 1-16-2142

language about Quezada becoming a joint tenant, and the closing could have taken place without

Quezada present. She did not speak to Aggen’s parents about the purchase and did not know

their names but believed the apartment was for Aggen and her parents.

¶ 16      On June 6, 2016, plaintiff moved to reopen proofs to admit a certified deed from 3221 N.

California #1G, Chicago as evidence, which showed Aggen as the property owner. The trial

court granted the motion, and the deed was admitted.

¶ 17      On July 6, 2016, the trial court denied plaintiff’s motions for judgment against

respondents, terminated and dismissed the citations served upon them, quashed the citation

served on Quezada via alternative service, and denied all sanctions plaintiff sought to impose on

Aggen.

¶ 18      This timely appeal followed.

¶ 19                                        ANALYSIS

¶ 20      Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred when it found Quezada held the Broadview

apartment in a resulting trust for the benefit of Aggen. Plaintiff takes issue with several of the

trial court’s actions. He contends the trial court erred in relying on Quezada’s affidavit, the

evidence in support of the resulting trust was inherently unbelievable, and the intent of Aggen

and Quezada was for both to have an interest in the property.

¶ 21      Where the trial court heard testimony and made credibility findings, we review the trial

court’s decision under a manifest weight of the evidence standard. Bazydlo v. Volant, 164 Ill. 2d
207, 214-15 (1995). A trial court’s finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence only

when an opposite conclusion is apparent or when findings appear to be unreasonable, arbitrary,

or not based on the evidence. Leonardi v. Loyola University of Chicago, 168 Ill. 2d 83, 106

(1995).

                                                -6­
No. 1-16-2142

¶ 22   A resulting trust is created by operation of law and has its roots in the presumed intention

of the parties. In re Estate of Wilson, 81 Ill. 2d 349, 355 (1980). A resulting trust generally arises

where one person purchases property with his own funds and allows title to be taken in the name

of another. Id. The burden of proof is upon the party seeking to establish a resulting trust, and the

evidence must be clear, convincing and unmistakable. Id. at 356. In order to establish a resulting

trust, however, the intent of the parties must be alleged and established because a court cannot

impose a trust where the intent of the parties is unclear. In re Estate of Wilkening, 109 Ill. App.
3d 934, 943 (1982).

¶ 23   We disagree with plaintiff and conclude that the trial court’s finding that the Broadview

apartment was held in a resulting trust for the benefit of Aggen was not against the manifest

weight of the evidence. Initially, plaintiff argues that the stock certificate showing Quezada as a

joint tenant with a right of survivorship demonstrates Aggen’s intent to provide a gift. While it is

true a gift may exist where the grantor takes title to the property in the name of herself and

another person jointly, “if the purchase price was paid by only one of such grantees, this

indicates an intent that the grantee is the only one beneficially interested in the property.”

Gary-Wheaton Bank v. Meyer, 130 Ill. App. 3d 87, 91-92 (1984). In such a situation, “the

expressed intent as shown by the deed must give way to the rule of equity which protects the

party paying the purchase price by raising a resulting trust in [her] favor.” Id. (citing Prassa v.

Corcoran, 24 Ill. 2d 288, 292 (1962)). Even accepting plaintiff’s argument that the stock shows

an intent to provide a gift, plaintiff cannot overcome the fact that Aggen provided the funds for

the entire transaction. The evidence before the trial court showed Aggen, not Quezada, provided

the entire purchase price of the Broadview apartment. Moreover, Aggen is the sole party to the

proprietary lease, the sale agreement, the bill of sale, and the closing statement. The record also

                                                -7­
No. 1-16-2142

shows that Aggen’s parents emigrated to the United States on October 1, 2015. The impending

arrival of her parents supports the explanation regarding the stock transfer only weeks before, on

September 19, 2015. This documentary evidence showing Aggen as the sole purchaser is enough

to support the trial court’s finding of a resulting trust in Aggen’s favor.

¶ 24   Outside of the documentary evidence, the testimonial evidence also supports the

conclusion that a resulting trust was created for the benefit of Aggen. Aggen testified she

allowed Quezada’s name to be on the certificates at the urging of Schram in case something

happened to her. Her testimony showed that she was battling a cancer diagnosis at the time and

had no family in the United States. She was informed that if nobody was listed and she died, the

apartment would revert back to the cooperative. She further testified that she did not know what

joint tenants with right of survivorship meant. Aggen, along with Cruz, testified that the

apartment was for herself and her parents once they arrived from Vietnam. Aggen’s father also

testified that he had provided the funds for the purchase through the sale of his home in Vietnam.

Given the above evidence, we conclude that the trial court’s finding was not unreasonable,

arbitrary, or not based on the evidence. Leonardi, 168 Ill. 2d at 106.

¶ 25   In reaching this conclusion, we reject plaintiff’s suggestion Aggen, Cruz, and Troung did

not testify credibly. It is well established that when applying a manifest weight of the evidence

standard, a reviewing court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court on such

matters as witness credibility, the weight to be given evidence, and the inferences to be drawn

from the evidence, even if the reviewing court would have reached a different conclusion if it

had been the trier of fact. In re A.W., 231 Ill. 2d 92, 102 (2008); In re Lakita B., 297 Ill. App. 3d
985, 994 (1998). The credibility to be given to Aggen, Cruz, Troung, and other witnesses was for

the trial court to determine. While plaintiff points out inconsistencies with various aspects of

                                                 -8­
No. 1-16-2142

their testimony, it was the trial court’s job to weigh them and make a credibility determination.

The trial court found them to be credible witnesses, and nothing in the record demonstrates we

should disregard these findings.

¶ 26    We also conclude that the trial court’s reliance on Quezada’s affidavit, if any, was

harmless because the testimony in the affidavit was cumulative of the testimony of Aggen. Pharr

v. Chicago Transit Authority, 220 Ill. App. 3d 509, 517 (1991).

¶ 27    We do not address plaintiff’s argument that Aggen should have filed a counterclaim in

order to raise a resulting trust issue because plaintiff has waived review of the issue. While

plaintiff did make this assertion below, plaintiff did not properly raise it and failed to seek a

ruling on it. In his reply below, he did not seek to have Aggen file a counterclaim or declaratory

judgment action raising the trust issue. Similarly, at the evidentiary hearing, plaintiff discussed

his belief about what Aggen should have filed but provided no case law and again failed to have

the court rule on the matter. Based on this inaction, plaintiff has waived review of any alleged

defect in Aggen’s response. See Dolce v. Dolce, 108 Ill. App. 3d 817, 820 (1982) (waiving

argument concerning “technical errors” where no motion to strike is presented to the trial court).

¶ 28    We conclude the trial court’s finding that the Broadview apartment was held in a

resulting trust for the benefit of Aggen was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

Accordingly, Quezada had no interest in the Broadview apartment that could be used to satisfy

the judgment against him. 1

¶ 29    Next, plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in failing to impose sanctions against

Aggen. This argument relates to the negotiation of a $1000 check issued to Aggen and Quezada

        1
           Because we determine that Quezada had no interest in the subject property, we decline to address the trial
court’s ruling that Aggen would be entitled to a homestead exemption.

                                                       -9­
No. 1-16-2142

jointly. On April 8, 2016, plaintiff brought a motion for judgment and sanctions. Plaintiff argued

that because Aggen had failed to disclose the $1000 check, both her answer to the citation and

her affidavit of completeness, which stated she had none of Quezada’s property, were false.

Plaintiff sought sanctions under Rule 137(a), Rule 219(c), and based on the court’s own inherent

authority. Ill. S. Ct. R. 137(a) (eff. July 1, 2013); R. 219(c) (eff. July 1, 2002).

¶ 30    Before this court plaintiff argues for de novo review but fails to support why de novo

review would be proper when Illinois case law holds that whether to sanction a party is

committed to the sound discretion of the trial court. See Dowd & Dowd, Ltd. v. Gleason, 181 Ill.
2d 460, 487 (1998) (stating that the decision to impose sanctions under Rule 137 is committed to

the sound discretion of the circuit court); Kauk v. Matthews, 100 Ill. App. 3d 107, 115 (1981)

(sanctions under section 2-1402 or Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(h) (eff. Nov. 1, 1978) are

imposed at the discretion of the trial court); Shimanovsky v. General Motors Corp., 181 Ill. 2d

112, 120 (1998) (imposing sanctions under Rule 219(c) is within the discretion of the trial court);

Cronin v. Kottke Associates., LLC, 2012 IL App (1st) 111632, ¶ 42 (imposing sanctions based on

the court’s inherent power is reviewed under an abuse of discretion). Accordingly, we review the

trial court’s decision to not impose sanctions under an abuse of discretion standard.

¶ 31    In seeking sanctions, plaintiff relies on section 3-110(a) of the Uniform Commercial

Code; however, such reliance is misplaced. Section 3-110(a) pertains to the identification of a

person to whom an instrument is payable. 810 ILCS 5/3-110(a) (West 2014). Relying on this

section, plaintiff argues Bolger’s intent, as the issuer, determines to whom the $1000 check

should be paid. However, simply because an instrument may be payable to Quezada does not

necessarily lead to the conclusion he had an “interest” in the funds.

                                                 - 10 ­
No. 1-16-2142

¶ 32   When a third party asserts rights to the property in question, the claimant’s rights shall be

determined in accordance with the garnishment statute. 735 ILCS 5/12-701 et seq. (West 2014);

Bank of Aspen v. Fox Cartage, Inc., 126 Ill. 2d 307, 314 (1989). In Zucker v. United States

Computer Corp., this court held that the judgment debtor’s designation as remitter on a cashier’s

check did not give the debtor a garnishable legal interest in the funds represented by the checks.

85 Ill. App. 3d 759, 767 (1980). In so holding, we determined that the term “ ‘interest’ ” as “read

in context of section 7 of the garnishment act *** refer[red] to a property right constituting less

than full ownership in the property sought to be garnished.” Id.

¶ 33   Guided by the above case law, we find no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court

for its decision to not sanction Aggen. We conclude, as did the trial court, Quezada had no

ownership interest in the $1000. The evidence showed that the $1000 check was issued by

Shawn Bolger in his role as escrow agent for a second apartment Aggen was looking to

purchase. Aggen testified that she had Quezada’s name placed on the check because she was

unsure if she would be able to close on the apartment and wanted him to be able to pick up the

check since she did not have a car. Aggen further testified that the funds for the $1000 check

came from her father and were drawn solely from her bank account. The relevant documentation

for the purchase shows that Aggen was listed as the sole buyer. The earnest money release form

shows Aggen as the sole purchaser and also contains only her signature authorizing the release of

funds. Quezada’s name appears on none of the transaction documents. Further, Bolger testified

that he only issued the refund check to Aggen and Quezada because their names had appeared on

the original. Aggen testified that Quezada signed the check over to her and has made no further

claim to its proceeds. Given these facts, we agree with the trial court that Quezada had no

                                              - 11 ­
No. 1-16-2142

garnishable interest in the proceeds. Id. Because no violation of the citation occurred, the trial

court did not abuse its discretion in deciding not to sanction Aggen. 2

¶ 34      Finally, plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in sue sponte quashing Quezada’s

citation served via substitute service. Plaintiff served Quezada by leaving a copy of the citation

with Aggen at the Broadview apartment. At the evidentiary hearing, Aggen testified that

Quezada never lived at the apartment. The affidavit of the special process server averred that

Quezada’s name was not on the mailbox. Based on the testimony and evidence presented at the

hearing, the trial court, sua sponte, concluded that Quezada did not reside there and therefore

service was not effective.

¶ 35      This issue raises two questions: (1) was it proper for the trial court to sua sponte raise the

issue of personal jurisdiction over Quezada, and (2) if the issue was properly raised, was the trial

court correct in finding substitute service ineffective?

¶ 36      The first question presents a question of law, and we review this issue under a de novo

standard. Williams v. Board of Trustees of the Morton Grove Firefighters’ Pension Fund, 398 Ill.

App. 3d 680, 687 (2010). If the trial court could raise the issue sua sponte, the more deferential

manifest weight of the evidence standard applies to whether the summons should have been

quashed because the trial court’s ruling is based in part on the live testimony and credibility of

Aggen. Royal Extrusions Ltd. v. Continental Window & Glass Corp., 349 Ill. App. 3d 642, 645

(2004).

          2
          The trial court’s order only references sanctions related to the citation, and plaintiff never obtained a ruling
on any other possible sanctionable conduct. Accordingly, plaintiff has waived any further review of the issue. See
McCullough v. Gallaher & Speck, 254 Ill. App. 3d 941, 946 (1993) (failing to obtain a ruling on an issue results in
waiver of issue on appeal).

                                                         - 12 ­
No. 1-16-2142

¶ 37   Initially, plaintiff argues that the trial court should not have even discussed or ruled upon

the propriety of Quezada’s summons. This appears to be a matter of first impression in Illinois,

as neither the parties’ nor our research uncovered any cases where a trial court raised the issue of

personal jurisdiction sua sponte concerning a nonappearing party. Citing Greenlaw v. United

States in support of his argument, plaintiff relies on the general proposition that courts should not

create an issue where it has not been raised by a party. 554 U.S. 237, 243-44 (2008). While

defendant is not a party to this appeal, respondents argue the trial court did not err in quashing

the summons and citation of Quezada. Respondents argue that a trial court, pursuant to Rule 277,

has wide discretion in managing supplemental proceedings before it. Ill. S. Ct. R. 277 (eff. Jan.

4, 2013); Kauk v. Matthews, 100 Ill. App. 3d 107, 113 (1981) (noting a trial court is given wide

discretion in supplemental proceedings to protect the rights and interests of all parties).

¶ 38   Rule 277 provides that a supplementary proceeding is commenced by service of a citation

upon the party against whom it is brought. Ill. S. Ct. R. 277(b). The citation is required to be

served and returned “in the manner provided by rule for service, otherwise than by publication,

of a notice of additional relief upon a party in default.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 277(c). Illinois Supreme

Court Rule 105, which provides for service of a notice of additional relief upon a party in

default, sets forth two means by which a citation may be served, namely (1) “any method

provided by law for service of summons, either within or without this State;” and (2) “prepaid

certified or registered mail addressed to the party, return receipt requested, showing to whom

delivered and the date and address of delivery.” Ill. S. Ct. R. 105 (eff. Jan. 1, 1989).

¶ 39   While not directly on point, our research has found that in certain circumstances, a

federal district court may raise the issue of personal jurisdiction sua sponte. Several circuits have

held that when an entry of default is sought against a party who has otherwise failed to appear or

                                                - 13 ­
No. 1-16-2142

plead, a district court may sua sponte review personal jurisdiction. Sinoying Logistics Pte Ltd. v.

Yi Da Xin Trading Corp., 619 F.3d 207, 213-14 (2d Cir. 2010) (citing In re Tuli, 172 F.3d 707,

712 (9th Cir. 1999)); Williams v. Life Savings & Loan, 802 F.2d 1200, 1203 (10th Cir. 1986);

System Pipe & Supply, Inc. v. M/V Viktor Kurnatovskiy, 242 F.3d 322, 324 (5th Cir. 2001);

Mwani v. bin Laden, 417 F.3d 1, 6 (D.C. Cir. 2005). This is done not to assert a personal defense

on behalf of a nonappearing party, but to ensure the court has the power to enter the impending

judgment. Sinoying, 619 F.3d 207, 213-14.

¶ 40   We believe Illinois courts have a similar responsibility and conclude that the trial court

acted appropriately when it sua sponte raised the issue of personal jurisdiction over Quezada.

After disposing of the proceedings against the third-party respondents, the only matter left

pending before the trial court was the citation served on Quezada. The citation had called for him

to appear on October 19, 2015. Quezada failed to appear on that date, and on March 2, 2016, the

trial court issued a rule to show cause as to why he should not be held in contempt. Accordingly,

the next step would be for the trial court to hold Quezada in contempt. However, any such

contempt order would be void if the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over Quezada. See

County of Lake v. Spare Things, 27 Ill. App. 3d 179, 184 (1975) (stating that personal

jurisdiction is necessary for enforcement of a contempt order). Given this procedural posture and

the fact this was a supplemental proceeding under Rule 277, we find no error in the trial court’s

sua sponte inquiry regarding its personal jurisdiction over Quezada.

¶ 41   Turning to the trial court’s decision to quash the service on Quezada, we conclude the

trial court did not abuse its discretion in quashing service. Section 2-203 of the Code of Civil

Procedure governs service upon an individual and allows for substitute service:

                                              - 14 ­
No. 1-16-2142

                “(2) by leaving a copy at the defendant’s usual place of abode, with some

                person of the family or a person residing there, of the age of 13 years or

                upwards, and informing that person of the contents of the summons,

                provided the officer or other person making service shall also send a copy of

                the summons in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid, addressed to

                the defendant at his or her usual place of abode.” 735 ILCS 5/2-203(a)(2)

                (West 2014).

A return of abode service must show strict compliance with all of the requirements set forth in

section 2-203, “since the same presumption of validity that attaches to a return reciting personal

service does not apply to substitute[ ] service.” State Bank of Lake Zurich v. Thill, 113 Ill. 2d
294, 309 (1986).

¶ 42   In quashing the summons and citation, the trial court found, based on the testimony and

other evidence presented by Aggen, that the Broadview apartment where plaintiff served

Quezada via substitute service was not his usual place of abode as required by section

2-203(a)(2). The affidavit of the special process server stated that Quezada’s summons was

served on Aggen at the Broadview apartment. The affidavit further stated that Aggen told the

special process server that Quezada did not live there and that his name was not on the mailbox

for the unit. The record also showed plaintiff served Quezada in the original action at addresses

in New Mexico and through his business e-mail. At the citation proceeding, Aggen testified that

Quezada had never lived at the Broadview apartment. Given these facts, we agree with the trial

court that the Broadview apartment where plaintiff attempted service was not Quezada’s usual

place of abode as required by section 2-203(a)(2). Accordingly, the order of the trial court

quashing service was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

                                               - 15 ­
No. 1-16-2142

¶ 43                                      CONCLUSION

¶ 44   Based on the above, the order of the trial court is affirmed in all respects. 

¶ 45   Affirmed.

                                               - 16 ­