Court Opinion

ID: 2796810
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-04-27 22:02:44.781807+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:29:20.393477
License: Public Domain

2015 IL App (1st) 133620

                                                                            FIFTH DIVISION
                                                                            March 31, 2015

No. 1-13-3620

                                                                )    Appeal from the
MACK INDUSTRIES, LTD.,                                          )    Circuit Court of
                                                                )    Cook County
                Plaintiff-Appellant,                            )
                                                                )
v.                                                              )    No. 12 CH 35480
                                                                )
THE VILLAGE OF DOLTON and BERT HERZOG,                          )
                                                                )    Honorable
                Defendants-Appellees.                           )    Thomas B. Allen,
                                                                )    Judge Presiding.

        JUSTICE REYES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
        Presiding Justice Palmer concurred in the judgment and opinion.
        Justice Gordon concurred in part and dissented in part, with opinion.

                                            OPINION

¶1      Plaintiff Mack Industries, Ltd. (Mack), appeals an order of the circuit court of Cook

County dismissing its verified amended complaint against defendants Village of Dolton (Village)

and Bert Herzog (Herzog). On appeal, Mack contends the circuit court erred in dismissing three

of the four counts of the verified amended complaint: (1) seeking a declaratory judgment; (2)

alleging breach of contract by the Village; and (3) alleging willful and wanton, retaliatory

misconduct by Herzog as the Village's manager. For the following reasons, the judgment of the

circuit court is affirmed.

¶2                                       BACKGROUND

¶3      The record on appeal discloses that on September 20, 2012, Mack filed a verified
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complaint against the Village, containing the following allegations. Mack is the owner and

manager of approximately 195 single-family homes (Mack properties) in the Village, a home

rule municipality. Mack's complaint primarily arises out of the Village's provision of water

service.

¶4     At all times relevant to the complaint, the Village exercised control over the supply of

water to residential properties within the Village. A Village ordinance 1 prohibited private

companies and individuals from supplying water to any building, structure or premises into

which water service is introduced. A Village ordinance also provided that water meter readings

were to be taken every three months. If no one was present on the premises, the water meter

reader was required to leave a United States postal card for the customer to record the water

usage and mail the reading to the Village clerk. If no postal card was returned to the Village

clerk within 10 days of a second meter reading, premises against which charges remained

outstanding "may be considered for 'red tagging' in preparation for 'shut off' of water to the

premises." After the expiration of the time for payment as specified by ordinance, a list was

required to be compiled of those premises with unpaid charges and the ordinance provided such

       1
           Although Mack's complaint quoted various purported Village ordinances, the pleading

did not indicate when the purported ordinances were adopted. The Village's motion to dismiss

Mack's verified amended complaint attached copies of the purported ordinances as exhibits, but

also without indicating when the purported ordinances were adopted. During oral argument, the

parties did not dispute the substance of the Village's ordinances or that the purported ordinances

were in effect during the period of the dispute at issue. It should be noted, however, that the

provision regarding "red tagging" is denoted as a "proposed ordinance" in the materials

submitted to this court.

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premises "shall be authorized for 'red tagging' and 'shut off.' " The ordinance required the

Village clerk to send notice by mail to the owner of premises scheduled for "red tagging,"

specifying the day and time the meter would be "red tagged" and water service would be shut

off. By ordinance, owners and users of water service were jointly and severally liable for water

charges. The ordinance further provided that if water charges were not paid within 60 days of

the issuance of a bill, the charges would be deemed delinquent and constitute a lien on the real

estate to which the service was supplied. The ordinance additionally provided, however, that the

Village clerk could refrain from filing sworn statements regarding these liens with the recorder

of deeds in Cook County if the Village proposed to sue the owner, occupant or user of the real

estate in a civil action. Mack required its lessees to be responsible for the payment of water bills.

¶5     Mack alleged that the stated practice of the Village's water department was to flag

properties for disconnection of water service once a bill was more than 30 to 60 days overdue. If

a payment was not made after a notice of termination, service would be disconnected. This

practice allegedly applied to unpaid water bills in excess of $150. In addition, the Village

entered into payment plans with tenants relating to water service, but required the tenant or

owner to make an initial payment of at least 60% of the unpaid balance.

¶6     In the late summer of 2010, the Village allegedly ceased enforcing its water service

ordinances with respect to the majority of the Mack properties, thereby failing to send notices of

delinquency, "red tag" properties, and disconnect water service. In several instances, water

service was not disconnected until the lessee vacated the property, leaving Mack solely

responsible for the unpaid charges and a fee for reconnection of service. In many cases, the

unpaid water bills on a property exceeded $700. In some instances, the Village agreed to

payment plans with Mack's lessees, under which only nominal payments were tendered to the

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Village, without notice to or the agreement of Mack.

¶7     Mack further alleged the Village routinely ignored requests to send notices of

disconnection to Mack's delinquent properties when the bills were 60 days overdue. In

September 2010, Mack commenced corresponding with the Village about the difficulties Mack

experienced regarding the lack of enforcement of the Village water ordinances. In January 2012,

Mack also discussed the issue with the Village counsel, who promised prompt action. From

August 2010 through September 2012, Mack was forced to pay in excess of $18,000 in water

charges that accrued after Mack requested disconnection of services. Mack estimated it would

be forced to remit in excess of $20,000 of water charges as of the date the complaint was filed,

and further charges would continue to accrue until the issue was resolved. In March 2011, the

Village commenced denying rental occupancy permits to properties with unpaid water charges,

thereby preventing Mack from establishing new tenancies.

¶8     In count I of the verified complaint, Mack sought a judgment declaring the Village's

pattern and practices were not in compliance with the terms of the Village ordinance relating to

water service by failing to: (1) conduct a second meter reading or leave the appropriate notices;

(2) "red tag" premises after notice was provided; and (3) disconnect water service at properties

more than 60 days delinquent in payment. Mack also sought an award of attorney fees. In count

II of the verified complaint, Mack alleged the Village breached a contract to provide water

service to property owners. Mack asserted the contract was created as a matter of law by the

ordinance establishing the Village as the sole provider of water service. In count III of the

verified complaint, Mack sought an injunction against retaliation by the Village. Mack alleged

that after it provided the Village with a draft copy of its verified complaint in July 2012, the

Village: (1) contrary to its prior practice, commenced issuing citations regarding various Mack

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properties without providing an opportunity to cure alleged violations; (2) failed or refused to

issue a letter certifying one of the Mack properties as destroyed by fire, thereby precluding Mack

from obtaining remediation of asbestos on that property; and (3) arbitrarily ordered reinspections

of Mack properties and refused to recertify at least 16 Mack properties, based on a need to

review paperwork regarding those properties.

¶9     On December 27, 2012, the Village filed a motion to dismiss Mack's verified complaint

pursuant to section 2-619.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-619.1 (West

2012)). 2 The Village first contended counts I and II of Mack's verified complaint must be

dismissed pursuant to section 2-619 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-619 (West 2012)), arguing the

Village is immune from liability for failing to enforce its own ordinances, pursuant to section 2-

103 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (Tort

Immunity Act or Act) (745 ILCS 10/2-103 (West 2010)). The Village also contended count III

of Mack's verified complaint must be dismissed pursuant to section 2-619 of the Code, arguing

the Village is immune from liability for failing to issue permits or certificates, pursuant to section

2-104 of the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2-104 (West 2010)). The Village further argued

Mack's verified complaint must be dismissed in its entirety pursuant to section 2-615 of the Code

(735 ILCS 5/2-615 (West 2012)), arguing all three counts failed to state a claim for which relief

may be granted.

¶ 10   On January 9, 2013, Mack filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On

January 16, 2013, the circuit court entered an order granting Mack leave to file its amended

       2
           The caption of the Village's motion refers to dismissing Mack's first amended

complaint, but the body of the motion and the complaint attached as an exhibit to the motion

establish the motion was directed to Mack's initial verified complaint.

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complaint instanter.

¶ 11   On January 17, 2013, Mack filed a verified amended complaint adding Herzog as a

defendant. The factual allegations of the verified amended complaint were substantially similar

to Mack's initial complaint, although Mack only claimed 151 Mack properties were located

within the Village. Mack also alleged it was required to pay exorbitant water bills regarding 28

of these properties. Mack further alleged that on numerous occasions, the Village refused to

correct overcharges after Mack notified the Village regarding its problems with water service.

Mack additionally alleged it was required to pay a $500 water charge for a property it purchased

in September 2012. Moreover, Mack alleged that commencing in September 2012, the Village

and Herzog: (1) refused to provide police service to Mack property managers complaining about

the criminal activity of Mack's lessees, and in one case refused to provide fire protection

services; (2) arbitrarily changed rental occupancy inspection deposit amounts; (3) required Mack

to replace water meters at a cost of $300 to $400 per property as a condition of the sale of 65

Mack properties to an investor; (4) required Mack's lessees to pay high water bill balances

incurred by prior lessees; (5) disconnected water service to Mack properties that had not accrued

delinquent water charges; (6) refused to timely connect water services at one of its properties;

and (7) refused to speak to Mack employees or agents regarding these issues.

¶ 12   The first three counts of Mack's verified amended complaint asserted the same causes of

action as the initial complaint. Count IV of the verified amended complaint sought damages

against Herzog for his alleged role in the retaliation against Mack. The verified amended

complaint alleged Herzog had supervisory authority over the Village's water and building

departments. Mack also alleged that on numerous occasions, Herzog informed Mack principal

Jack McClelland that the Village's actions obstructing Mack's business were Mack's fault "for

                                                 6
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getting the lawyers involved."

¶ 13   On February 14, 2013, the Village and Herzog filed a motion to dismiss Mack's verified

amended complaint pursuant to section 2-619.1 of the Code. Similar to the Village's prior

motion to dismiss, the Village and Herzog contended counts I and II of Mack's verified amended

complaint must be dismissed pursuant to section 2-619 of the Code on the ground the Village is

immune from liability for failing to enforce its own ordinances, pursuant to section 2-103 Tort

Immunity Act. The Village and Herzog also contended counts III and IV of Mack's verified

amended complaint must be dismissed pursuant to section 2-619 of the Code, arguing the Village

and Herzog were immune from liability for failing to issue permits or certificates, and for failing

to provide police or fire protection, pursuant to sections 2-104, 4-102, and 5-102 of the Tort

Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/2-104, 4-102, 5-102 (West 2010)). The Village and Herzog further

argued counts I, II and III of Mack's verified complaint must be dismissed pursuant to section 2-

615 of the Code, arguing that these three counts failed to state a claim for which relief may be

granted. Lastly, the Village and Herzog argued Mack's requests for attorney fees must be

stricken as unauthorized by statute or contract.

¶ 14   On March 22, 2013, Mack filed a response to the motion to dismiss the verified amended

complaint. Mack argued the Village's provision of water services constituted a valid and

enforceable contract. Mack also argued the Tort Immunity Act did not apply to its adequately

stated claims for breach of contract claims and willful and wanton conduct. On April 16, 2013,

the Village and Herzog filed a short reply in support of their motion to dismiss, largely

reiterating their prior arguments.

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¶ 15      On October 23, 2013, following a hearing on the matter, the circuit court entered an order

granting the motion to dismiss Mack's verified amended complaint. On November 13, 2013,

Mack filed a timely notice of appeal to this court.

¶ 16                                               ANALYSIS

¶ 17      On appeal, Mack contends the circuit court erred in dismissing counts I, II and IV of its

verified first amended complaint. 3 Mack's verified amended complaint was dismissed pursuant

to a motion brought under section 2-619.1 of the Code, which permits section 2-615 and section

2-619 motions to be filed together as a single motion, divided into parts which are limited to and

specify the single section of the Code under which relief is sought. 735 ILCS 5/2-619.1 (West

2012). In this case, the circuit court did not indicate under which section of the Code it

dismissed each of the counts of Mack's verified amended complaint. The circuit court, however,

may be affirmed on any basis that appears in the record. Gunthorp v. Golan, 184 Ill. 2d 432, 438

(1998).

¶ 18      A motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2-615 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-615 (West

2010)) attacks the legal sufficiency of a complaint by alleging defects on the face of the

complaint. Vitro v. Mihelcic, 209 Ill. 2d 76, 81 (2004). When ruling on a section 2-615 motion,

the relevant question is whether the allegations in the complaint, construed in a light most

favorable to the plaintiff, are sufficient to state a cause of action upon which relief may be

granted. Canel v. Topinka, 212 Ill. 2d 311, 317 (2004). A motion to dismiss should not be

granted "unless it is clearly apparent that no set of facts can be proved that would entitle the

plaintiff to relief." Tedrick v. Community Resource Center, Inc., 235 Ill. 2d 155, 161 (2009).

          3
              The dismissal of count III of the verified first amended complaint is not at issue in this

appeal.

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¶ 19   In contrast, a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2-619 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-619

(West 2010)) admits the legal sufficiency of a plaintiff's complaint but raises defects, defenses,

or other affirmative matters which defeat the plaintiff's claims. Russell v. Kinney Contractors,

Inc., 342 Ill. App. 3d 666, 670 (2003). In this case, The Village and Herzog rely on various

provisions of the Tort Immunity Act. "Undoubtedly, the existence of tort immunity may be

raised in a section 2-619(a)(9) motion to dismiss." Smith v. Waukegan Park District, 231 Ill. 2d
111, 121 (2008).

¶ 20   Under either section 2-615 or section 2-619, our review is de novo. Mauvais-Jarvis v.

Wong, 2013 IL App (1st) 120070, ¶ 64. De novo consideration means we perform the same

analysis that a trial court would perform. Khan v. BDO Seidman, LLP, 408 Ill. App. 3d 564, 578

(2011). Moreover, "[a] dismissal order may be affirmed 'if it is justified in the law for any

reason or ground appearing in the record regardless of whether the particular reasons given by

the trial court, or its specific findings, are correct or sound.' " BDO Seidman, LLP v. Harris, 379
Ill. App. 3d 918, 923 (2008) (quoting Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America v. Phillips Petroleum

Co., 163 Ill. App. 3d 136, 142 (1987)). With these principles in mind, we address the dismissal

of counts I, II and IV of Mack's verified amended complaint.

¶ 21                                  Count I: Declaratory Judgment

¶ 22   Count I of Mack's verified amended complaint requested the circuit court to issue a

declaratory judgment. The Illinois declaratory judgment statute provides in pertinent part:

       "(a) No action or proceeding is open to objection on the ground that a merely

       declaratory judgment or order is sought thereby. The court may, in cases of actual

       controversy, make binding declarations of rights, having the force of final

       judgments, whether or not any consequential relief is or could be claimed,

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       including the determination, at the instance of anyone interested in the

       controversy, of the construction of any statute, municipal ordinance, or other

       governmental regulation *** and a declaration of the rights of the parties

       interested." 735 ILCS 5/2-701(a) (West 2010).

"The essential requirements of a declaratory judgment action are: (1) a plaintiff with a legal

tangible interest; (2) a defendant having an opposing interest; and (3) an actual controversy

between the parties concerning such interests." Beahringer v. Page, 204 Ill. 2d 363, 372 (2003).

¶ 23   In this case, Mack argues it has a legal tangible interest in the strict enforcement of the

Village water ordinance, as such enforcement would induce Mack's tenants to pay the water

charges. In particular, Mack alleged the Village failed to perform ministerial tasks by failing to:

(1) conduct a second water meter reading or failed to leave a notice of shut off after the second

water meter reading; (2) "red tag" properties in preparation for discontinuance of water service

10 days after notice was left; and (3) disconnect water service at properties more than 60 days

delinquent in payments. An " '[o]fficial duty is ministerial, when it is absolute, certain and

imperative, involving merely the execution of a set task, and when the law which imposes it,

prescribes and defines the time, mode and occasion of its performance with such certainty, that

nothing remains for judgment or discretion.' " (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Village of

Bloomingdale v. CDG Enterprises, Inc., 196 Ill. 2d 484, 496 (2001) (quoting In re Chicago

Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d 179, 194 (1997) (discussing ministerial acts in the context of the

Tort Immunity Act)). 4

       4
           Mack's focus on the nonperformance of "ministerial" acts also parallels the law

governing the writ of mandamus. "Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy traditionally used to

compel a public official to perform a ministerial duty." People ex rel. Madigan v. Snyder, 208

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Ill. 2d 457, 464 (2004). "Generally, a writ of mandamus will be awarded only if a plaintiff

establishes a clear right to relief, a clear duty of the public official to act, and a clear authority in

the public official to comply with the writ." Id. at 465. "There must also be no other adequate

remedy." Id. "The writ will not lie when its effect is to substitute the court's judgment or

discretion for that of the body which is commanded to act." (Internal quotation marks omitted.)

Lewis E. v. Spagnolo, 186 Ill. 2d 198, 229 (1999). "Thus, mandamus is not appropriate to

regulate a course of official conduct or enforce the performance of official duties generally."

Givot v. Orr, 321 Ill. App. 3d 78, 90 (2001). Generally, the decision to enforce an ordinance is

discretionary in nature. See, e.g., McClaughry v. Village of Antioch, 296 Ill. App. 3d 636, 644-

45 (1998); see also Castillo v. Jackson, 207 Ill. App. 3d 799, 804 (1990), aff'd, 149 Ill. 2d 165

(1992) (there is a "legion of adjudicated cases" recognizing that a prosecutor or similar enforcing

official may exercise a virtually unreviewable. discretionary power to decline to enforce a

statutory command (Internal quotation marks omitted.)).

        In this case, Mack merely seeks a declaration of its rights under the Village water

ordinance, rather than to compel Village officials to perform any particular action. This court

has not settled the question of whether a plaintiff may, given the tendency to liberalize use of the

declaratory judgment act, supplant mandamus in cases where the controversy is ripe. See Koziol

v. Village of Rosemont, 32 Ill. App. 2d 320, 326-28 (1961) (in which the case did not initially

require the use of mandamus). We need not settle that question in this case, as the Village and

Herzog did not seek dismissal on the ground that Mack was required to pursue a writ of

mandamus. Rather, we observe that Mack's declaratory judgment action, by alleging the Village

failed to perform ministerial tasks, is consistent with the idea that its tangible legal interest in the

enforcement of the Village water ordinance involves a clear duty to act on the part of Village

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¶ 24    The ordinance, however, provided that premises with delinquent accounts "may be

considered for 'red tagging' in preparation for 'shut off' of water to the premises." (Emphasis

added.) Thus, this aspect of the ordinance does not require the Village to "red tag" or leave a

notice of discontinuance of water service after a second meter reading. After the expiration of

the time for payment specified by ordinance, a list was required to be compiled of those premises

with unpaid charges and the ordinance provided such premises "shall be authorized for 'red

tagging' and 'shut off.' " (Emphasis added.) This court has generally interpreted the term

"authorized" in accordance with its plain and ordinary meaning as " '[t]o empower' " or " 'to give

a right or authority to act.' " Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance v. Village of Downers Grove,

302 Ill. App. 3d 286, 296 (1998) (quoting Black's Law Dictionary 122 (5th ed. 1979)). "The

term has also been defined as 'to permit a thing to be done in the future.' " Id. (quoting Midland

Iron & Steel Corp. v. Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry. Co., 4 Ill. App. 3d 369, 371 (1972)).

Thus, the plain terms of the ordinance gave the Village the authority to "red tag" water meters

and discontinue water service at premises with delinquent accounts, but did not require the

Village to do so on a particular time schedule. Moreover, the ordinance required the Village

clerk to send notice by mail to the owner only after premises were scheduled for "red tagging,"

not immediately after the second water meter reading.

¶ 25    Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, the ordinance in this case imposes joint and

several liability on Mack for any unpaid water charges regarding its properties. Even assuming

that the enforcement of the ordinance Mack seeks may encourage Mack's lessees to pay the

water charges, the Village is legally entitled to seek the full amount of the unpaid water charges

from Mack as the owner of the premises. See Sakellariadis v. Campbell, 391 Ill. App. 3d 795,

officials.

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801 (2009) (discussing common law doctrine of joint and several liability). The ordinance also

provided that the Village may elect to file a lien against the property or to file a civil action

against the owner, occupant, or user of the real estate. In short, Mack failed to allege facts that

would establish the Village failed to perform ministerial tasks, as opposed to acts of discretion or

judgment. Accordingly, Mack failed to allege a tangible legal interest in this case.

¶ 26   We also observe that Mack, as a lessor, has remedies other than a judicial declaration of

rights. "The mere existence of another remedy does not require dismissal of a declaratory

judgment action, but it may constitute sufficient grounds for dismissal in the trial court's

discretion." Mayfair Construction Co. v. Waveland Associates Phase I Ltd. Partnership, 249 Ill.

App. 3d 188, 203 (1993) (citing Marlow v. American Suzuki Motor Corp., 222 Ill. App. 3d 722,

728 (1991)). The Second District of this court, however, has concluded "that a trial court may

not dismiss a claim for declaratory relief on the sole ground that another remedy is available."

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority v. Amoco Oil Co., 336 Ill. App. 3d 300, 311 (2003); see

also AG Farms, Inc. v. American Premier Underwriters, Inc., 296 Ill. App. 3d 684, 692 (1998)

(Fourth District ruling the availability of a quiet title action alone did not warrant the dismissal of

a declaratory judgment action on the pleadings). In this case, Mack not only lacks a tangible

legal interest in the strict enforcement of the Village water ordinance, but Mack already sought to

protect its economic interest by imposing a duty on its lessees to pay the water charges. 5 Mack

also could seek to protect its economic interest by including the expected water charges in the

       5
           During oral argument, counsel for Mack observed that pursuing its tenants and former

tenants can be difficult. Mack has not established, however, that any difficulty Mack might have

in collecting water charges from its tenants imposes a duty on the Village to collect the water

charges.

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rent it charges lessees, as opposed to relying on the Village to allocate its resources and exercise

its discretion in support of Mack's business. The fact that Mack already has a remedy available

is not the sole basis to dismiss Mack's claim for a declaratory judgment, but it is an additional

reason supporting the dismissal in this case.

¶ 27   Accordingly, for all the aforementioned reasons, Mack has failed to establish the circuit

court erred in dismissing count I of the verified amended complaint.

¶ 28                                   Count II: Breach of Contract

¶ 29   Count II of Mack's verified amended complaint alleged the Village breached a contract

with property owners to provide water service in accordance with the Village's ordinances. The

essential elements of a breach of contract are: (1) the existence of a valid and enforceable

contract; (2) performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach of the contract by the defendant; and (4)

resultant injury to the plaintiff. Batson v. The Oak Tree, Ltd., 2013 IL App (1st) 123071, ¶ 35.

In this case, the Village argues its ordinances are not a contract with property owners to provide

water service.

¶ 30   Historically, the legal relationship between the municipality engaged in the business of

furnishing water to its inhabitants and a water consumer was "essentially one of contract."

Brooks v. Village of Wilmette, 72 Ill. App. 3d 753, 756 (1979) (citing People ex rel. Brockamp v.

Schlitz Brewing Co., 261 Ill. 22 (1913), and Rosborough v. City of Moline, 30 Ill. App. 2d 167

(1961)). The Brockcamp court, in determining water charges were not "taxes," reasoned:

       "When a municipality goes into the business of furnishing water, while such

       business is more or less public in its nature, it does so not in the capacity of local

       sovereignty. [Citation.] The obligation of the consumer to pay rests upon a

       contract entered into between the city and the consumer, which contract the

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        consumer had an option to make or not, as he pleased." (Emphasis added.)

        Brockamp, 261 Ill. at 25.

The characterization of the relationship as contractual thus depended on the voluntary nature of

the transaction. See id.; see also Rosborough, 30 Ill. App. 2d at 172 (property owner's

application for water service stated the application and acceptance by the municipality

constituted a contract). 6

¶ 31    More recently, this court has ruled a municipality may mandate that property owners

connect to the municipal water system and require payment for the service. Village of Algonquin

v. Tiedel, 345 Ill. App. 3d 229, 236 (2003). In Village of Algonquin, this court reasoned

government is not required to deal with citizens on a purely contractual basis where the state

action represents a rational response to the myriad problems caused by private water wells. See

id. at 235-36 (adopting the rationale and holding in Stern v. Halligan, 158 F.3d 729 (3d Cir.

1998)). The court observed that when a municipality requires use of its water service, " '[t]he

only forced contract is the broader social contract.' " Village of Algonquin, 345 Ill. App. 3d at

236 (quoting Stern, 158 F.3d at 735).

¶ 32    Our decision in Village of Algonquin is also consistent with the principle that " '[t]he

legislature must be free to exercise its constitutional authority without concern that each time a

        6
            Mack observes that this court referred to the relationship between a municipality and a

water consumer to be contractual as recently as our decision in Tepper v. County of Lake, 233 Ill.

App. 3d 80, 82 (1992), which involved a charge based on an allegedly inaccurate water meter.

The Tepper court did not set forth the facts upon which it concluded the relationship was

contractual, but it relied upon Brooks and Rosborough, cases in which the record established the

contractual nature of the relationship. Id.

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public policy is expressed contractual rights may thereby be created.' " Unterschuetz v. City of

Chicago, 346 Ill. App. 3d 65, 71 (2004) (quoting Fumarolo v. Chicago Board of Education, 142
Ill. 2d 54, 106 (1990)). "A party who asserts that a State law creates contractual rights has the

burden of overcoming the presumption that a contract does not arise out of a legislative

enactment." Fumarolo, 142 Ill. 2d at 104.

¶ 33   In this case, Mack's verified amended complaint alleged that the Village exercised control

over the supply of residential properties within the Village. A Village ordinance prohibits

private companies and individuals from supplying water to any building, structure or premises

into which water service is introduced. Accordingly, the Village's provision of water service

represents the exercise of its police power, not the establishment of a voluntary contractual

relationship. See Village of Algonquin, 345 Ill. App. 3d at 236. Thus, we conclude the circuit

court did not err in dismissing count II of Mack's verified amended complaint pursuant to section

2-615 of the Code.

¶ 34                          Count IV: Willful and Wanton Conduct

¶ 35   Lastly, count IV of Mack's verified amended complaint alleged that Herzog engaged in

willful and wanton conduct in retaliation against Mack. At the outset, we observe that under

Illinois law, a separate and independent tort of willful and wanton conduct does not exist.

Krywin v. Chicago Transit Authority, 238 Ill. 2d 215, 235 (2010). Illinois law regards willful

and wanton conduct as an aggravated form of negligence. Id.

¶ 36   Herzog did not move to dismiss count IV under section 2-615 of the Code. As Herzog's

motion was based on section 2-619 of the Code, we assume the legal sufficiency of the claim.

Russell, 342 Ill. App. 3d at 670. Herzog's motion to dismiss relies on the Tort Immunity Act.

The purpose of the Tort Immunity Act is to protect local public entities and public employees

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from liability arising from the operation of government. 745 ILCS 10/1-101.1 (West 2010). "In

promulgating the Tort Immunity Act, the legislature 'sought to prevent the dissipation of public

funds on damage awards in tort cases.' " Kevin's Towing, Inc. v. Thomas, 351 Ill. App. 3d 540,

544 (2004) (quoting Van Meter v. Darien Park District, 207 Ill. 2d 359, 368 (2003)). The rules

of statutory construction require courts "to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the

legislature." In re Detention of Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337, ¶ 70. In doing so, we "construe the

statute as a whole and afford the language its plain and ordinary meaning." Id. We must also

avoid rendering any part meaningless or superfluous, and consider words and phrases in light of

other relevant provisions of the statute. Id. Moreover, "[w]hen a general statutory provision and

a more specific one relate to the same subject, we will presume that the legislature intended the

more specific statute to govern." Abruzzo v. City of Park Ridge, 231 Ill. 2d 324, 346 (2008).

¶ 37   Herzog relies on three provisions of the statute. Section 2-206 of the Tort Immunity Act

provides:

       "A public employee is not liable for an injury caused by his issuance, denial,

       suspension or revocation of or by his failure or refusal to issue, deny, suspend or

       revoke, any permit, license, certificate, approval, order or similar authorization

       where he is authorized by enactment to determine whether or not such

       authorization should be issued, denied, suspended or revoked." 745 ILCS 10/2-

       206 (West 2010). 7

       7
           Herzog's motion to dismiss referred to section 2-104 of the Tort Immunity Act, which

provides the parallel immunity to local public entities. 745 ILCS 10/2-104 (West 2010). Mack's

opening brief noted section 2-104 does not apply to Herzog. Mack, however, did not raise this

objection in the circuit court. Generally, arguments not raised in the trial court cannot be raised

                                                  17
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Section 4-102 of the Tort Immunity Act provides in part:

          "Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for failure to

          establish a police department or otherwise provide police protection service or, if

          police protection service is provided, for failure to provide adequate police

          protection or service, failure to prevent the commission of crimes, failure to detect

          or solve crimes, and failure to identify or apprehend criminals." 745 ILCS 10/4-

          102 (West 2010).

Section 5-102 of the Tort Immunity Act provides:

          "Neither a local public entity that has undertaken to provide fire protection service

for the first time on appeal. See Haudrich v. Howmedica, Inc., 169 Ill. 2d 525, 536 (1996);

Kalven v. City of Chicago, 2014 IL App (1st) 121846, ¶ 26. Had Mack raised this objection in

the trial court, Herzog could have provided the correct citation to the Tort Immunity Act, as he

has in response to Mack's argument on appeal. Accordingly, Mack's objection is forfeited on

appeal.

          Moreover, "it is well established that an appellee may argue in support of the judgment

on any basis which appears in the record [citation], and an appellate court may affirm a trial

court's judgment on any grounds which the record supports [citation], even where those grounds

were not argued by the parties [Citation]." Studt v. Sherman Health Systems, 2011 IL 108182,

¶ 48 (Karmeier, J., specially concurrning); see Cuellar v. Hout, 168 Ill. App. 3d 416, 425 (1988);

Redd v. Woodford County Swine Breeders, Inc., 54 Ill. App. 3d 562, 565 (1977) (and cases cited

therein). Accordingly, Herzog is entitled to argue the circuit court was correct based on section

2-206 of the Tort Immunity Act, particularly where Mack waited until this appeal to dispute the

applicability of the substantively similar section 2-104.

                                                   18
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       nor any of its employees is liable for an injury resulting from the failure to

       suppress or contain a fire or from the failure to provide or maintain sufficient

       personnel, equipment or other fire protection facilities." 745 ILCS 10/5-102

       (West 2010).

The provisions Herzog relies upon make no exception for willful or wanton conduct. See

DeSmet v. County of Rock Island, 219 Ill. 2d 497, 515 (2006) (section 4-102 contains no

exception for willful and wanton misconduct); Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 496

(section 2-104 immunity for the issuance or denial of permits and approvals does not contain an

exception for willful and wanton misconduct). Courts will not insert exceptions for "willful and

wanton conduct" or for "corrupt or malicious motives" into provisions of the Tort Immunity Act

when such exceptions do not appear in the plain language of the statute. See Village of

Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 493-94.

¶ 38   Mack argues Herzog may be liable for willful and wanton conduct pursuant to section 2-

202 of the Tort Immunity Act, which immunizes public employees for an act or omission "in the

execution or enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes willful and wanton

conduct." 745 ILCS 10/2-202 (West 2010). Mack also relies on section 2-208, which provides

"[a] public employee is not liable for injury caused by his instituting or prosecuting any judicial

or administrative proceeding within the scope of his employment, unless he acts maliciously and

without probable cause." 745 ILCS 10/2-208 (West 2010).

¶ 39   In this case, Mack alleged Herzog failed to issue various permits, certificates, and other

forms of approval. Mack also alleged Herzog was liable for the failure of the Village to provide

police or fire protection to Mack properties. These allegations are encompassed by sections 2-

206, 4-102, and 5-102 of the Tort Immunity Act, which specifically address the issuance or

                                                 19
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denial of governmental approvals, and the failure to provide police or fire protection services.

Accordingly, sections 2-206, 4-102, and 5-102 of the Tort Immunity Act—the provisions of the

statute more specifically applicable to Mack's allegations—are controlling. Abruzzo, 231 Ill. 2d

at 346. Consequently, the Mack's claim of willful and wanton conduct fails regarding these

allegations. See DeSmet, 219 Ill. 2d at 515; Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 496. 8

       8
           In Village of Sleepy Hollow v. Pulte Home Corp., 336 Ill. App. 3d 506 (2003), the

appellate court ruled that the immunity provided by section 2-201 of the Tort Immunity Act for

discretionary policy decisions does not always take precedence over the provisions of section 2-

208. Id. at 510. The Village of Sleepy Hollow court, however, reasoned that section 2-201 does

not always control because "[s]ection 2-201 begins with the phrase, '[e]xcept as otherwise

provided by Statute' (745 ILCS 10/2-201 (West 2000)), which clearly indicates that the

legislature did not intend for public employees to receive immunity from liability in all situations

involving policy and discretion." Id.

       We observe that our supreme court has ruled that willful and wanton conduct cannot

deprive a municipality of an immunity granted by section 2-201. Harinek v. 161 North Clark

Street Ltd. Partnership, 181 Ill. 2d 335, 347 (1998); see also Kevin's Towing, Inc, 351 Ill. App.
3d at 547-48 (categorizing actions as nondiscretionary solely based on a public employee's intent

would conflict with the supreme court's rulings that section 2-201 immunity is not limited by

willful and wanton conduct or by corrupt or malicious motives). Our supreme court has stated

that when the legislature intends to except willful and wanton misconduct from the provisions of

an immunity statute, it has " ' "unambiguously done so." ' " DeSmet, 219 Ill. 2d at 514 (quoting

Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 491, quoting Barnett v. Zion Park District, 171 Ill. 2d
378, 391 (1996)). We need not resolve the apparent tension between Harinek and Village of

                                                 20
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¶ 40   Mack, however, also alleged Herzog issued citations without an opportunity to cure

violations and subjected Mack properties to arbitrary reinspection. These allegations relate to the

enforcement of the law. Thus, section 2-202, which does not immunize willful and wanton

conduct, is applicable to these allegations. See Abruzzo, 231 Ill. 2d at 346. Moreover, the

issuance of a citation may be considered the institution of a judicial or administrative proceeding.

See, e.g., Village of Glenview v. Buschelman, 296 Ill. App. 3d 35, 37 (1998). Accordingly,

section 2-208 of the Tort Immunity Act also may apply to the allegations regarding the issuance

of citations. We therefore turn to consider whether Herzog engaged in willful and wanton

conduct or with malice absent probable cause regarding these allegations.

¶ 41   "Willful and wanton conduct" is defined by the Tort Immunity Act as "a course of action

which shows an actual or deliberate intention to cause harm or which, if not intentional, shows

an utter indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others or their property." 745

ILCS 10/1-210 (West 2010). The violation of self-imposed rules or internal guidelines does not

normally impose a legal duty and thus would not constitute negligence or willful and wanton

conduct. Luss v. Village of Forest Park, 377 Ill. App. 3d 318, 336 (2007). Although generally a

question of fact, a court may "hold as a matter of law that a public employee's actions did not

amount to willful and wanton conduct when no other contrary conclusion can be drawn." Young

v. Forgas, 308 Ill. App. 3d 553, 562 (1999).

¶ 42   In this case, Mack's verified amended complaint alleges that on numerous occasions,

Sleepy Hollow in this case. Sections 2-206, 4-102, and 5-102 of the Tort Immunity Act, unlike

section 2-201, do not contain express exceptions for the application of other statutes. 745 ILCS

10/2-206, 4-102, 5-102 (West 2010). Thus, the reasoning of Village of Sleepy Hollow does not

apply to this case.

                                                 21
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Herzog informed Mack principal Jack McClelland that the Village's actions obstructing Mack's

business were Mack's fault "for getting the lawyers involved." Mack thus alleges a course of

action which shows an actual or deliberate intent. The injury alleged from the issuance of the

citations and the reinspections, however, is lost revenue. The issue, therefore, is whether such

damages constitute "harm" within the scope of section 1-210 of the Tort Immunity Act.

¶ 43    In cases analyzing willful and wanton conduct under section 1-210, this court has ruled

" '[i]t is essential that plaintiff allege and establish that when the defendant acted, or failed to act,

he had knowledge, or should have had the knowledge under the circumstances, that his conduct

posed a high probability of serious physical harm to others.' " (Emphasis added.) Choice v.

YMCA of McHenry County, 2012 IL App (1st) 102877, ¶ 72 (quoting Pomrehn v. Crete-Monee

High School District, 101 Ill. App. 3d 331, 335 (1981)). Considering the term "harm" in light of

other relevant provisions of the statute, our interpretation of the term in Choice is consistent with

the remainder of section 1-210, which refers to "an utter indifference to or conscious disregard

for the safety of others or their property." (Emphasis added.) 745 ILCS 10/1-210 (West 2010).

Similarly, section 500 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts, discussing reckless conduct, refers

to conduct that "creates an unreasonable risk of physical harm to another." (Emphasis added.)

Restatement (Second) of Torts § 500 (1965). Our supreme court has relied on section 500 of the

Restatement (Second) of Torts in analyzing willful and wanton conduct under section 1-210 of

the Tort Immunity Act. Burke v. 12 Rothschild's Liquor Mart, Inc., 148 Ill. 2d 429, 449 (1992).

Accordingly, section 500 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts informs our analysis of the statute

in this case.

¶ 44    Furthermore, Illinois law regards willful and wanton conduct as an aggravated form of

the tort of negligence (Krywin, 238 Ill. 2d at 235) and we are interpreting the Tort Immunity Act,

                                                   22
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the purpose of which is to prevent the dissipation of public funds on damage awards in tort cases

(Kevin's Towing, Inc., 351 Ill. App. 3d 544). "At common law, solely economic losses are

generally not recoverable in tort actions." In re Chicago Flood Litigation, 176 Ill. 2d at 198.

With exceptions not alleged in this case, "[a]bsent injury to a plaintiff's person or property, a

claim presents an economic loss not recoverable in tort." Id. at 201.

¶ 45   In this case (unlike, for example, the alleged failure to provide fire protection), Mack

does not allege the reinspections or the issuance of citations resulted in physical harm to persons

or property. Rather, Mack's verified amended complaint alleged Mack was required to pay fees

and was in danger of losing tenants who sought to move into various Mack properties. Mack

thus alleged economic losses that are generally not recoverable in tort. Such losses are not the

"harm" addressed in the section 1-210 definition of willful and wanton conduct. Accordingly,

the immunity provided by section 2-202 of the Tort Immunity Act applies, rather than the

exception stated therein.

¶ 46   Lastly, there is the question of whether Mack sufficiently alleged that Herzog, by

ordering the issuance of the citations, acted "maliciously and without probable cause." 745 ILCS

10/2-208 (West 2010). We observe that the language of section 2-208 is conjunctive, requiring

Mack to allege both malice and the absence of probable cause. See Village of Sleepy Hollow,
336 Ill. App. 3d at 512 (and cases cited therein). "The absence of probable cause cannot be

inferred from malice." Knox County v. Midland Coal Co., 265 Ill. App. 3d 782, 788 (1994) (and

cases cited therein).

¶ 47   In this case, Mack alleged actions and statements by Herzog from which malice regarding

Mack may reasonably be inferred. Mack also alleged that the Village (on information and belief

at the direct order of Herzog), contrary to its prior practice, commenced issuing citations

                                                 23
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regarding various Mack properties without providing an opportunity to cure alleged violations.

This allegation does not assert or support an inference that the citations were issued without

probable cause. Mack also alleged that its properties were subject to arbitrary reinspections, but

Mack has cited no authority establishing or suggesting that a property inspection is the institution

of an administrative or judicial proceeding. Thus, the allegations fall within the scope of the

immunity provided by section 2-208 of the Tort Immunity Act, rather than the exception stated

therein.

¶ 48   For all of the aforementioned reasons, the circuit court did not err in dismissing count IV

of Mack's verified amended complaint pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) of the Code.

¶ 49   Lastly, Mack suggested during oral argument that the case be remanded with leave to

replead. "Ordinarily a plaintiff whose complaint is dismissed for failure to state a cause of action

can complain of a judgment being entered in bar of action without leave to replead only if it

seeks and is denied leave to replead. [Citation.]" Eversole v. Wasson, 80 Ill. App. 3d 94, 97

(1980). In this case, Mack filed no motion to replead in the circuit court. Mack also informed

the court during oral argument that there was no transcript of proceedings regarding the dismissal

of the verified amended complaint. Furthermore, "[a]ny party who seeks on appeal to amend his

or her pleadings or the process in the record on appeal shall present a written application

therefor, supported by affidavit." Ill. S. Ct. R. 362(a) (eff. Feb. 1, 1994). Mack filed no such

application in this appeal. Indeed, Mack did not seek leave to replead in his appellate briefs.

Accordingly, we decline to remand with leave to replead in this case.

¶ 50                                          CONCLUSION

¶ 51   For all of the aforementioned reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is

affirmed.

                                                24
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¶ 52    Affirmed.

¶ 53    JUSTICE GORDON, concurring in part and dissenting in part.

¶ 54    I concur with the majority's order affirming the dismissal of count 1, but not counts II and

IV. As I explain below, I would reverse the trial court's dismissal of plaintiff's counts II and IV

and, thus, I must respectfully dissent.

¶ 55                                      I. Count II: Breach of Contract

¶ 56    The majority affirms the dismissal of count II, for breach of contract, on the ground that

the Village's provision of water is an exercise of its police power and therefore it cannot

constitute a contract. The majority acknowledges that, "[h]istorically, the legal relationship

between the municipality engaged in the business of furnishing water to its inhabitants and a

water consumer was 'essentially one of contract.' " Supra ¶ 30 (quoting Brooks, 72 Ill. App. 3d

at 756). But the majority rejects this line of cases based on one appellate court case: Village of

Algonquin v. Tiedel, 345 Ill. App. 3d 229, 236 (2003).

¶ 57    However, the Algonquin court was faced with a different issue than the issue at bar. In

Algonquin, the appellate court held that, pursuant to its police power, a municipality could

require residents to use its water. Algonquin, 345 Ill. App. 3d at 234 (an ordinance requiring

residents to use the village's water is a valid exercise of the village's police power). By contrast,

in the case at bar, plaintiff is not disputing the Village's power to require use of its water; rather,

plaintiff is contesting the allegedly arbitrary and capricious manner in which the Village is

providing that service. In the decade since Algonquin was decided, it has been cited by one

published case, and that case cited it for the proposition which it held, namely, that a

municipality's police power permits it to require use of its water. Board of Education of Dolton

School District 149 v. Miller, 349 Ill. App. 3d 806, 812 (2004) (parenthetical described

                                                   25
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Algonquin's holding as "compelling homeowners to connect to municipal water supply"). Thus,

the one case relied on by the majority is inapposite and not persuasive on the point for which it is

cited.

¶ 58                            II. Count IV: Against the Village Manager

¶ 59     Second, the majority affirms the dismissal of count IV, which was brought against

defendant Bert Herzog, the village manager of Dolton.

¶ 60                                    A. Plaintiff's Allegations

¶ 61     This count alleged that Herzog has supervisory authority over all village departments,

including the water and building departments and that he committed willful and wanton conduct

against plaintiff for " 'getting the attorneys involved.' " Plaintiff alleged that "all of the Village's

retaliatory actions as outlined herein [in the complaint] were performed at Herzog's direction or

with his express approval."

¶ 62     Count IV further alleged:

                "71.    Each of the retaliatory acts outlined in this Complaint constitute

         willful and wanton abuses of the Village's responsibilities under its ordinances to

         provide public safety and water services to property owners and tenants within its

         borders. On information and belief, Village Manager, Bert Herzog, has ordered

         Dolton employees to do anything they can to harass Mack and hinder its

         operations within the Village while this litigation is ongoing.

                72.     Mack has incurred and continues to incur damages on a daily basis,

         as the abuses continue. There is no adequate remedy at law to Mack as a property

         owner in the Village. Mack cannot refuse to submit to re-inspection, or place

         tenants in the properties that currently require rental approval, as it will be forced

                                                   26
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       to incur additional violations and citations from the Village. Moreover, Mack

       cannot force the Village to issue transfer stamps, and cannot legally provide

       police protection to its property managers."

¶ 63                           B. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss

¶ 64                                   1. Section 2-619

¶ 65   Defendants moved to dismiss count IV pursuant to section 2-619, on the ground that

Herzog was immune under the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/1-101 et seq. (West 2010)).

While a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2-615 challenges the legal sufficiency of a

complaint based on defects apparent on its face (Lewis v. Heartland Food Corp., 2014 IL App

(1st) 123303, ¶ 7 (citing Marshall v. Burger King Corp., 222 Ill. 2d 422, 429 (2006))), a motion

to dismiss pursuant to section 2-619 admits the legal sufficiency of the complaint but asserts an

affirmative defense or other matter that avoids or defeats plaintiff's claim. Bank of America, N.A.

v. Adeyiga, 2014 IL App (1st) 131252, ¶ 57 (citing DeLuna v. Burciaga, 223 Ill. 2d 49, 59

(2006)); 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2012) (a motion under section 2-619 argues that "the

claim asserted against defendant is barred by *** affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of

or defeating the claim").

¶ 66                           2. Statutory Sections Cited by Defendant

¶ 67   Since defendants moved under section 2-619, we do not consider whether count IV states

a cause of action but consider only whether the statutory sections cited by defendants constitute

affirmative matter defeating plaintiff's claim.

¶ 68   In their motion to dismiss, defendants cited three sections of the Tort Immunity Act: (1)

section 2-104, concerning the issuance, denial, suspension or revocation of permits (745 ILCS

10/2-104 (West 2010)); (2) section 4-102, concerning police protection (745 ILCS 10/4-102

                                                  27
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(West 2010)); and (3) section 5-102, concerning the failure to suppress or contain a fire (745

ILCS 10/5-102 (West 2010)).

¶ 69   Section 2-104 provides in full:

       "A local public entity is not liable for an injury caused by the issuance, denial,

       suspension or revocation of, or by the failure or refusal to issue, deny, suspend or

       revoke, any permit, license, certificate, approval, order or similar authorization

       where the entity or its employee is authorized by enactment to determine whether

       or not such authorization should be issued, denied, suspended or revoked." 745

       ILCS 10/2-104 (West 2010).

The majority concluded that the above-quoted section, which refers only to a public entity and

not to an employee, did not apply to defendant Herzog. Supra ¶ 37 n.7.

¶ 70   Section 4-102 provides in full:

       "Neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for failure to

       establish a police department or otherwise provide police protection service or, if

       police protection service is provided, for failure to provide adequate police

       protection or service, failure to prevent the commission of crimes, failure to detect

       or solve crimes, and failure to identify or apprehend criminals. This immunity is

       not waived by a contract for private security service, but cannot be transferred to

       any non-public entity or employee." 745 ILCS 10/4-102 (West 2010).

¶ 71   Section 5-102 provides in full:

       "Neither a local public entity that has undertaken to provide fire protection service

       nor any of its employees is liable for an injury resulting from the failure to

       suppress or contain a fire or from the failure to provide or maintain sufficient

                                                28
1-13-3620

       personnel, equipment or other fire protection facilities." 745 ILCS 10/5-102

       (West 2010).

¶ 72   In addition to the above-quoted sections, the majority holds that defendants can raise, for

the first time on appeal, a statutory section that they did not cite before the trial court, namely,

section 2-206 (745 ILCS 10/2-206 (West 2010)). Supra ¶ 37 n.7. The majority holds that

defendants can do this because plaintiff should have realized that defendants were citing the

wrong section and should have objected below, and that because plaintiff did not flag for

defendants a better section to cite, plaintiff cannot object now to defendants raising it for the first

time on appeal. Supra ¶ 37 n.7. I know of no rule of waiver that requires a plaintiff's attorney to

advise the defendants of a better argument to make or a better statutory section to cite. It was

defendants' burden to raise the "affirmative matter" barring plaintiff's claim in their section 2-619

motion to dismiss. 735 ILCS 5/2-619 (West 2012). By failing to make any arguments

concerning section 2-206 in their brief to the court below, defendants waived the issue for our

consideration on appeal. Cholipski v. Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., 2014 IL App (1st) 132842, ¶ 58

(issues not raised in the trial court are waived and may not be raised for the first time on appeal).

¶ 73                                   C. Plaintiff's Response

¶ 74                           1. Section 2-101: Contract Exception

¶ 75   In its response to defendants' motion to dismiss, plaintiff argued, first, that the Tort

Immunity Act does not apply to contracts. Section 2-101 of the Act provides: "Nothing in this

Act affects the liability, if any, of a local public entity or public employee, based on: a).

Contract[.]" 745 ILCS 10/2-101 (West 2010). As I discussed above, since water provision has

been historically viewed as a contract, the Tort Immunity Act does not apply to plaintiff's claims.

                                                  29
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¶ 76                           2. Exceptions for Wanton and Willful Conduct

¶ 77   Second, plaintiff argued in its response to the trial court that, even if the rubric of the Act

applied, plaintiff's claim fell into the Act's exceptions for wanton and willful conduct.

Specifically, plaintiff cited the exceptions contained in: (1) section 2-202, which concerns the

execution or enforcement of the law by public employees (745 ILCS 10/2-202 (West 2010)); and

(2) section 2-208, which concerns the institution or prosecution of judicial or administrative

proceedings (745 ILCS 10/2-208 (West 2010)).

¶ 78   Section 2-202 provides in full:

       "A public employee is not liable for his act or omission in the execution or

       enforcement of any law unless such act or omission constitutes willful and wanton

       conduct." 745 ILCS 10/2-202 (West 2010).

¶ 79   Section 2-208 provides in full:

       "A public employee is not liable for injury caused by his instituting or prosecuting

       any judicial or administrative proceeding within the scope of his employment,

       unless he acts maliciously and without probable cause." 745 ILCS 10/2-208

       (West 2010).

¶ 80   With respect to the above-quoted sections, the majority holds, first, that the sections cited

by defendants provide absolute immunity and that they trump the "willful and wanton" and

"maliciously" language provided in sections 2-202 and 2-208 (745 ILCS 10/2-202, 2-208 (West

2010)). Supra ¶ 39. However, the appellate court rejected a similar argument in Village of

Sleepy Hollow v. Pulte Home Corp., 336 Ill. App. 3d 506 (2003). In Sleepy Hollow, the village

argued that the immunity provided by section 2-201 for discretionary acts was absolute and thus

trumped the exception in section 2-208, which is one of the sections at issue in the case at bar.

                                                 30
1-13-3620

Sleepy Hollow, 336 Ill. App. 3d at 510. By contrast, the opposing party in Sleepy Hollow argued

that section 2-208 was "more specific" and thus it was the section that "must apply." Sleepy

Hollow, 336 Ill. App. 3d at 510.

¶ 81   The Sleepy Hollow court rejected both arguments, holding that the various sections of the

Act "operate in conjunction with each other." Sleepy Hollow, 336 Ill. App. 3d at 510. The court

observed that, "[w]hen construing immunities under the Immunity Act, a court must view the

statute as a whole, with all relevant parts considered together." Sleepy Hollow, 336 Ill. App. 3d

at 510. The court held that both sections applied to offer immunity to the village in different

ways, but that the "maliciously" language in section 2-208 provided an exception to the

immunity protections set forth in both section 2-208 and other parts of the Act. Sleepy Hollow,
336 Ill. App. 3d at 510, 512.

¶ 82   The issue before us is different from the issue in Abruzzo v. City of Park Ridge, 231 Ill.
2d 324 (2008), relied on by the majority. Supra ¶¶ 36, 40. In Abruzzo, 231 Ill. 2d at 327, the

issue was whether the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act (the EMS Act) (210

ILCS 50/3.150(a) (West 2004)) or the Tort Immunity Act applied. Both acts appeared to apply,

and they conflicted with each other. Abruzzo, 231 Ill. 2d at 344. Forced to pick between two

conflicting acts, the court picked the EMS Act because it was both the "more specific" and the

"more recent" of the two separate legislations. Abruzzo, 231 Ill. 2d at 346. By contrast, in the

instant case, we are called upon to harmonize the sections of one act.

¶ 83   Second, the majority holds that, since the exceptions for willful and wanton conduct do

not appear in the same statutory sections cited by defendant Herzog, then applying them here

would, in effect, "insert" exceptions that "do not appear in the plain language of the statute."

Supra ¶ 37. However, when we refer to sections cited by defendant Herzog, we do not consider

                                                 31
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section 2-104 (745 ILCS 10/2-104 (West 2010)) because, as the majority correctly observed, it

does not apply to Herzog. Supra ¶ 37 n.7. Also, as we explained above, defendant Herzog

waived any arguments based on section 2-206 (745 ILCS 10/2-206 (West 2010)) by failing to

raise it in the court below. Thus, the only sections cited by Herzog that are under consideration

are sections 4-102 and 5-102 (745 ILCS 10/4-102, 5-102 (West 2010)) which concern the

provision of fire and police protection and which affect only a small part of plaintiff's

allegations.

¶ 84   In addition, the exceptions are in statutory sections cited by plaintiff. While "we may not

read into the statute limitations that the legislature did not express" (Sleepy Hollow, 336 Ill. App.
3d at 511 (citing Village of Bloomingdale v. CDG Enterprises, Inc., 196 Ill. 2d 484, 493

(2001))), the exceptions in sections 2-202 and 2-208 are expressly stated by the legislature in the

Act. " '[T]he legislature has recognized exceptions to its grants of immunity and enumerated

those exceptions in the plain language of the Act.' " Sleepy Hollow, 336 Ill. App. 3d at 510-11

(quoting Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 494-95 (specifically listing sections 2-202 and 2-

208 as examples of these exceptions)).

¶ 85   The issue before us is also different from the issue in Village of Bloomingdale, relied on

by the majority. Supra ¶¶ 37, 39. In Village of Bloomingdale, the issue was whether "the Illinois

Constitution prohibits the insertion of the common law 'corrupt or malicious motives' exception

into the immunities provided by the Act." Village of Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 486. Holding

that the exception could not be read into the Act, the court observed that "no provision of the Act

contains an exception for 'corrupt or malicious motives.' " (Emphasis in original.) Village of

Bloomingdale, 196 Ill. 2d at 495. By contrast, in the case at bar, we are discussing exceptions

expressly provided in the Act itself.

                                                 32
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¶ 86     Third, the majority acknowledges that section 2-208 concerns proceedings and that this

section "may" apply. Supra ¶ 40. However, the majority does not consider the proceeding

alleged by plaintiff. Plaintiff's amended complaint, which is the complaint at issue, alleges in

count IV:

                "68. In July 2012, [plaintiff] Mack sent a copy of a draft Complaint to

         Village Manager Bert Herzog and Village Attorney Evangeline Levison

         indicating that, should matters continue, it would be forced to file suit. The

         Village's campaign of retaliation began shortly thereafter."

Thus, the complaint alleges that the "proceeding" is this lawsuit. 745 ILCS 10/2-208 (West

2010).

¶ 87     Section 2-208 says "instituting or prosecuting," so the word "prosecuting" must mean

something different than "instituting," otherwise it would be superfluous. In re Detention of

Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337, ¶ 70 (we must interpret a statute so as to avoid rendering any part

"superfluous"). In interpreting a statute, we must "afford the language its plain and ordinary

meaning." Stanbridge, 2012 IL 112337, ¶ 70. The first meaning of "prosecute" in the dictionary

is: "To pursue or persist in so as to complete." The American Heritage Dictionary, Second

College Edition, 994 (1982). It is defendant Herzog's retaliatory actions as part of pursuing this

lawsuit that are the subject of count IV, and section 2-208 withholds immunity if he acts

maliciously and without probable cause, which is what plaintiff has alleged. 745 ILCS 10/2-208

(West 2010). Since defendants moved under section 2-619, we accept the legal sufficiency of

these allegations. Bank of America, 2014 IL App (1st) 131252, ¶ 57.

¶ 88     Thus, even assuming arguendo that the Act applied to contract claims, count IV falls into

the exceptions expressly carved out by the Act in section 2-202 for wanton and willful conduct

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1-13-3620

and section 2-208 for malicious conduct.

¶ 89                                   Conclusion

¶ 90   For the foregoing reasons, I would reverse the trial court's dismissal of plaintiff's counts

II and IV and, thus, I must respectfully dissent.

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