Interlocutory Appeals

Defendant Mortgage Exchange allegedly sent unauthorized faxes to solicit business. Plaintiff CE Design, apparently annoyed at receiving the faxes, sued under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. CE attempted to make the case a class action, but its motion to certify a class was denied.

CE moved for reconsideration of the order denying class certification within 30 days. That motion was denied more than three months later. CE then petitioned for leave to appeal pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 306, which allows discretionary interlocutory appeals of denials of class certification motions.

Mortgage Exchange moved to dismiss the petition, arguing that the petition was filed more than 30 days after the order denying class certification, thus depriving the appellate court of jurisdiction. CE argued that its motion for reconsideration tolled the time to petition for an appeal.

Kenneth Stark and Vesta Stark, both elderly, were married. Vesta suffered from Alzheimers disease. Kenneth died and left substantial money to the Southern Illinois University Foundation and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. The will left nothing to Vesta, but did contain a statement that “adequate and suitable” provisions were made for Vesta from resources outside of the assets identified in the will. And the facts did show that Vesta was well taken care of.

Vesta gave power of attorney to her son, Mark. On Vesta’s behalf, Mark filed a renunciation of Kenneth’s will. By renouncing the will, Vesta stood to take a one-half share of Kenneth’s estate, more than $2.3 million.

SIU and Shriner’s petitioned to vacate the renunciation. The parties moved for partial summary judgment. SIU and Shriner’s argued that Mark did not act “for the benefit of” Vesta in renouncing the will, as is required by the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Mark argued the opposite.

Articles Posted in Interlocutory Appeals

Motion To Reconsider Does Not Toll 30-Day Deadline To Petition For Interlocutory Appeal

Fourth District Illinois Appellate Rules Abuse Of Discretion To Order Interlocutory Appeal