Freedman v. Muller , 2015 IL App (1st) 141410 ( 2015 )

2015 IL App (1st) 141410
No. 1-14-1410
FIRST DIVISION
June 30, 2015
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
CARMELA FREEDMAN, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Plaintiff-Appellant, ) Cook County.
)
v. ) No. 12 L 11633
)
MICHAEL MULLER, ) Honorable
) Sanjay T. Tailor,
Defendant-Appellee. ) Judge Presiding.
JUSTICE CONNORS delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Presiding Justice Delort and Justice Cunningham concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Plaintiff, Carmela Freedman, appeals from an order of the circuit court that dismissed a
claim for palimony in Freedman's second amended complaint pursuant to section 2-615 of the
Code of Civil Procedure (the Code) (735 ILCS 5/2-615 (West 2012)). Freedman asserted this
claim against Michael Muller, with whom Freedman had been romantically involved for a
number of years. On appeal, Freedman contends that dismissal of the palimony claim was
improper because unmarried cohabitants should have recognized property rights and the case that
the court relied on, Hewitt v. Hewitt, 77 Ill. 2d 49 (1979), is based on foundations that have either
been repealed or are not reflective of current society. We affirm.
No. 1-14-1410
¶2 This appeal concerns Freedman's second amended complaint (complaint), which was
filed on October 23, 2013. In addition to the palimony claim, Freedman's complaint also
asserted causes of action for constructive trust, unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, implied
contract, and promissory estoppel. Only the palimony claim is at issue in this appeal.
¶3 In her complaint, Freedman, a professional hairdresser, stated that beginning in 1998, she
and Muller, a "wealthy businessman and public figure" who owned several car dealerships,
began a "long term intimate and confidential relationship as cohabitants." Freedman also stated
that although defendant was legally separated from his wife and told Freedman he would never
divorce his wife, Freedman and Muller "lived a life for more than a decade as any married
couple would." According to Freedman, she and Muller lived together, traveled together, and
socialized with one another's friends, families, and acquaintances. Freedman stated that during
their relationship, she and Muller lived either at her house in Northbrook or at Muller's apartment
in Chicago. Further, Muller paid for all expenses associated with travel and their social life, as
well as certain of Freedman's home expenses.
¶4 Freedman alleged that sometime in 2003, Muller convinced her to transfer her
Northbrook house to him based on Muller's misrepresentation that he would either transfer the
title back to Freedman and pay all the expenses and maintenance on the house, or buy her a
larger, more valuable replacement property for approximately $650,000. Freedman stated that,
ultimately, Muller became the sole owner of the house by paying off the outstanding mortgage
and taking the title in his name. According to Freedman, because of this transaction, she lost title
to the house and approximately $10,000 in equity in the property. Freedman additionally stated
that after Muller acquired title to the home, he demanded that Freedman remove her belongings
from the house because he was going to start renovations and buy new furniture.
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¶5 Freedman further stated that in late 2003 or early 2004, Muller convinced Freedman to
move into his Chicago apartment. According to Freedman, Muller also insisted that she cut back
the time she spent as a hairdresser "since [Muller] wanted [Freedman] to be available at his beck
and call." Freedman agreed to this and "significantly reduced the time spent in her business."
¶6 Freedman's complaint also included allegations about her condominium in Chicago,
which until 2005, she had rented to third parties as a source of income. Freedman stated that in
February 2005, Muller convinced her to sell the condominium and misrepresented to her that if
she did so, he would buy her a three- to six-unit building that she would manage and own.
However, this replacement property was never purchased. Freedman also stated that when she
sold the condominium, Muller also promised to buy her another condominium for as much as
$650,000, but this never occurred either.
¶7 Freedman additionally alleged in her complaint that she had twice cared for Muller when
he was ill. In 1998, when Muller was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, Freedman oversaw
Muller's care and rehabilitation, and continued to obtain certain enzymes and antioxidants for
him through January 2013. According to Freedman, after Muller was cured, he made Freedman
promise that she would groom and cut his hair and take care of his medical care, health care, and
personal needs. Freedman also stated that in August 2011, Muller had surgery after it was
discovered that he had a lung tumor. At that time, Muller convinced Freedman that if she would
take care of him physically and emotionally, he would take care of her financially. Freedman
agreed and placed Muller "on a regime of Protesase after his surgery." Freedman alleged that
Muller declined to put his promises in writing and failed to follow through on those promises.
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¶8 Freedman also alleged that during their relationship, she and Muller developed a business
and personal relationship with the chief executive officer of Honda and that, thanks in part to
Freedman's efforts, Muller was awarded a car dealership in Indiana.
¶9 Additionally, Freedman's complaint included allegations about Freedman and Muller's
various breakups and attempts to reconcile. According to Freedman, in June 2008, Muller told
Freedman he was ending their relationship, and a week later, he told Freedman he was living
with another woman. However, in October 2008, "[a]s an inducement to reconcile," Muller told
Freedman that: (1) he had opened a bank account in both of their names; (2) he was buying
$30,000 worth of Ford stock and would buy $30,000 each of GMAC and Citibank stock for her;
and (3) he would transfer title to Freedman's home to her because he had not bought a
replacement property. Freedman stated that she agreed to reconcile based on Muller's
representations, but other than opening the bank account, Muller did not follow through on his
other promises.
¶ 10 Freedman stated that in 2009, she learned that Muller had been sexually involved with
other women. According to Freedman, from that point until October 2012, "when [they] finally
terminated their sexual and intimate relationship," their relationship was "off and on." Freedman
stated that in August 2011, Muller again sought to reconcile with her "by promising certain
financial benefits." According to Freedman, Muller promised to: (1) transfer the title to
Freedman's home back to her or purchase a replacement property worth $650,000; (2) transfer
title of two condominium units to her or provide title to residential real estate worth $650,000;
(3) buy Freedman a multifamily apartment building worth $850,000; (4) provide major health
insurance; (5) provide cars as necessary and pay for all attendant costs to maintain the cars, such
as insurance; (6) transfer to Freedman the number of shares of Ford stock that could be bought
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for $30,000 in October 2008; (7) transfer to Freedman the number of Citibank shares that could
have been bought for $30,000 in October 2008; and (8) transfer to Freedman the number of
shares of GMAC stock that could have been purchased for $30,000 in October 2008. Freedman
stated that Muller refused to sign an agreement to memorialize these promises.
¶ 11 Freedman additionally alleged that over a year later, in October 2012, Muller again made
a series of promises that were never fulfilled. Specifically, Muller promised Freedman that he
would: (1) transfer title back to Freedman's home or buy a replacement property for
approximately $650,000; (2) buy a multifamily apartment building worth approximately
$850,000 for Freedman to own and operate; (3) pay for Freedman's health care expenses and
health insurance; (4) transfer $30,000 worth of Ford stock, $30,000 worth of GMAC stock, and
$30,000 of Citibank stock to Freedman; and (5) provide a new car and pay for related expenses.
¶ 12 Freedman stated that at all times, including after their most recent breakup, Muller had
insisted that Freedman agree to take care of his medical and emotional needs and continue to be
his hairdresser. Freedman agreed and continued to provide these services. Freedman also stated
that while the suit had been pending, Muller had seized a 2007 Honda that Muller had provided
for her and that Muller sought to evict Freedman from her home in a separate proceeding.
¶ 13 Following these factual allegations, Freedman presented seven claims against Muller.
Count I, titled "PALIMONY CLAIM," incorporated the factual allegations above and stated that
Freedman and Muller had "cohabited and lived in a marital like relationship" for 10 years
continuously "and then off and on" for an additional 4 years. Freedman further alleged that
"[c]ertain courts have recognized property rights that unmarried cohabitants have upon
dissolution of their relationship." As relief, Freedman sought "an award of one-half of what
[Muller] earned while they were in their intimate marital like relationship and for such other
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No. 1-14-1410
relief as this Court deems just and equitable." In addition to the palimony claim, Freedman
alleged claims against Muller for constructive trust based on fraud, constructive trust based on a
breach of a confidential and fiduciary relationship, unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, implied
contract, and promissory estoppel.
¶ 14 On December 9, 2013, Muller filed a motion to dismiss Freedman's complaint. In
addition to asserting that the other counts should be dismissed, Muller contended that the
palimony claim should be dismissed pursuant to section 2-615 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-615
(West 2012)) because Illinois does not recognize a cause of action for palimony. Muller stated
that the "[c]ertain courts" that Freedman referred to in her complaint are outside Illinois and that
in Hewitt v. Hewitt, 77 Ill. 2d 49 (1979), the Illinois Supreme Court stated that claims for
palimony were unenforceable. Muller further asserted that even if Illinois recognized the
property rights of unmarried cohabitants, Freedman acknowledged that Miller remained married,
and therefore, relief would be unavailable to her.
¶ 15 In response, Freedman noted that despite Hewitt and other cases that followed its holding,
other Illinois courts recognized that unmarried cohabitants had property rights in assets
accumulated during the relationship. Freedman additionally contended that when Hewitt was
decided, "public policy regarding traditional marriage was in a decidedly different place than it is
in 2014," and referred to appended exhibits that consisted of three census-related documents.
Freedman further asserted that "many jurisdictions have recognized property rights to parties in
formerly unmarried partner relationships." As to Muller's claim that relief would nonetheless be
unavailable because Muller had been married during the relevant period, Freedman stated that
Muller had still maintained a 14-year marital-like relationship with Freedman as a cohabitant.
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¶ 16 Oral argument was held on Muller's motion to dismiss on April 17, 2014. Counsel for
Freedman acknowledged that many of the "palimony cases" cited the types of remedies
contained in the other counts of Freedman's complaint and stated that "[t]here has historically not
been a count called palimony." The court stated that it was bound by Hewitt and that there was
no cause of action for palimony in Illinois. The court ultimately dismissed the palimony claim,
but denied the motion to dismiss as to Freedman's other claims. The court's order included a
finding pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a) (eff. Feb. 26, 2010), stating there was no
just reason to delay the enforcement or appeal, or both, of the dismissal of count I of Freedman's
complaint.
¶ 17 On appeal, Freedman contends that Hewitt, which was the basis for the circuit court's
ruling, should be modified or overturned because that case was based on foundations that have
either been repealed or are not reflective of current society. Freedman points to other
jurisdictions that have held that unmarried cohabitants have property rights, subject to meeting
burdens of proof, and asserts that several jurisdictions have specifically criticized or rejected
Hewitt. Freedman also argues that Blumenthal v. Brewer, 2014 IL App (1st) 132250, appeal
allowed, No. 118781 (Ill. Mar. 25, 2015), which Freedman states repudiated Hewitt, provides
support for her position that the property rights of unmarried people in marital-like relationships
must be protected.
¶ 18 As a preliminary matter, Muller contends that Freedman's opening brief failed to comply
with the certain supreme court rules and should be stricken. Muller asserts that Freedman's
jurisdictional statement, statement of the case, argument section, and appendix are deficient, and
accordingly, this court should strike Freedman's brief in its entirety.
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¶ 19 We agree that Freedman's brief is deficient in certain respects, but we decline to strike it.
In her jurisdictional statement, Freedman states, "This is an appeal from the granting of Muller's
Motion to Dismiss Count I of Freedman's Second Amended Complaint. The trial court, in its
discretion and with agreement of the parties, granted Freedman's appeal of that dismissal
pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 304(a)." Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(4)(ii) (eff.
Feb. 6, 2013), the jurisdictional statement should include a brief statement or explanation of the
basis for the appeal, including the rule or other law that confers jurisdiction, the facts of the case
that bring it within the rule or law, the date that the order being appealed was entered, and any
other facts that are necessary to demonstrate that the appeal is timely. Additionally, the facts in
the jurisdictional statement should be supported by page references to the record on appeal. Id.
Of these requirements, Freedman failed to include the date that the order being appealed was
entered, the additional facts that would show her appeal is timely, and references to pages in the
record. 1
¶ 20 We next consider Freedman's statement of facts and argument sections. Illinois Supreme
Court Rule 341(h)(6) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013) requires that a statement of facts "contain the facts
necessary to an understanding of the case, stated accurately and fairly without argument or
comment, and with appropriate reference to the pages of the record on appeal." While Freedman
accurately and fairly stated most of the facts, she failed to include some key details, such as that
the facts recounted were contained in her second amended complaint, as well as what transpired
at the argument on Muller's motion to dismiss. Muller also contends that the bulk of Freedman's
argument section consists of fragmented citations to out-of-state cases that support the
abandonment of Hewitt, a case that Muller contends is inapplicable. Putting aside the substance
1
We note that the court entered its Rule 304(a) finding on April 17, 2014, and Freedman timely filed her
notice of appeal on May 14, 2014.
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of Freedman's argument for the moment, we note that "[c]itation of numerous authorities in
support of the same point"—as Freedman did at various times—"is not favored." Ill. S. Ct. R.
341(h)(7) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013).
¶ 21 Lastly, we consider Freedman's appendix. An appendix to the appellant's brief must
include a table of contents, a copy of the judgment appealed from, any opinion, memorandum, or
findings of fact filed or entered by the trial judge, any pleadings or other materials from the
record that are the basis of the appeal or pertinent to it, the notice of appeal, and a complete table
of contents, with page references, of the record on appeal. Ill. S. Ct. R. 342(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2005).
Instead of fulfilling these requirements, the appendix to Freedman's opening brief consists of six
exhibits that include census-related information, a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
copies of statutes, and a map showing a national chart of same-sex marriage. An incomplete
copy of Freedman's complaint is appended to her reply brief. We will not consider any
documents that were not presented to the circuit court or any references to those documents on
appeal. See People v. Reimolds, 92 Ill. 2d 101, 106-07 (1982) (a court of review must determine
the issues before it solely on the basis of the record made in the trial court).
¶ 22 We caution that the rules of procedure for appellate briefs are rules, not mere suggestions,
and it is within our discretion to strike a brief and dismiss an appeal for failure to comply with
the rules. Parkway Bank & Trust Co. v. Korzen, 2013 IL App (1st) 130380, ¶ 10. However, we
will not strike Freedman's brief because Freedman's brief is adequate in other respects and the
deficiencies noted above do not hinder our ability to review the issues at hand. See Spangenberg
v. Verner, 321 Ill. App. 3d 429, 432 (2001) (declining to strike brief where it complied with the
rules in other ways and none of the violations were so flagrant as to hinder or preclude review).
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¶ 23 Turning to the merits, this appeal is from the grant of a motion to dismiss pursuant to
section 2-615 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2-615 (West 2012)), which challenges the legal
sufficiency of a complaint based on defects apparent on its face. Marshall v. Burger King Corp.,
222 Ill. 2d 422, 429 (2006). On review, the question is "whether the allegations of the
complaint, when construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, are sufficient to establish a
cause of action upon which relief may be granted." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Karas v.
Strevell, 227 Ill. 2d 440, 451 (2008). "In reviewing the sufficiency of a complaint, we accept as
true all well-pleaded facts and all reasonable inferences that may be drawn from those facts."
Marshall, 222 Ill. 2d at 429. A cause of action should not be dismissed unless it is clearly
apparent that no set of facts can be proven that would entitle the plaintiff to recover. Id.
Although a complaint does not need to contain evidence, it cannot be merely conclusory, and
must allege facts sufficient to bring a claim within a legally recognized cause of action.
Redelmann v. Claire—Sprayway, Inc., 375 Ill. App. 3d 912, 921 (2007). The standard of review
for a motion to dismiss brought under section 2-615 is de novo. Karas, 227 Ill. 2d at 451.
¶ 24 Much of Freedman's argument is devoted to contending that Hewitt should be modified
or abandoned. However, Hewitt is no longer good law. See Blumenthal, 2014 IL App (1st)
132250. As background, in Hewitt, the plaintiff, Victoria Hewitt, sought certain relief once her
unmarried, family-like relationship with the defendant, Robert Hewitt, ended. Hewitt, 77 Ill. 2d
at 52. Victoria contended that because Robert promised he would share his life, future, earnings,
and property with her and because all of Robert's property resulted from the parties' joint
endeavors, she was entitled to a one-half share. Id. at 53. Victoria also pursued causes of action
based on an implied contract, constructive trust, and unjust enrichment. Id. The court found that
Victoria's claims were unenforceable because they contravened the public policy "implicit in the
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statutory scheme of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, disfavoring the grant
of mutually enforceable property rights to knowingly unmarried cohabitants." Id. at 66.
According to the court, a contrary result would reinstate common law marriage, which was
outlawed in 1905. Id. at 65.
¶ 25 As Freedman acknowledges in her reply brief, Hewitt was essentially rejected in
Blumenthal, 2014 IL App (1st) 132250. There, Brewer, who had been in a domestic partnership
with Blumenthal since 1981 or 1982, asserted claims against her former domestic partner that
included constructive trust, quantum meruit, and restitution. Id. ¶¶ 3, 11. The court found that
after the Illinois legislature repealed the language that criminalized cohabitation in 1990, “the
primary basis for the result in Hewitt—that agreements between unmarried parties are not
enforceable because their relationship is illicit—ceased to exist.” Id. ¶ 25. The court further
stated that “United States courts are increasingly inclined to enforce agreements between former
cohabitants” and pointed out other changes and notable cases since Hewitt. Id. ¶¶ 30, 33-34.
Additionally, the court noted that Brewer alleged “that the couple intentionally comingled and
shared their assets based on a mutual commitment and expectation of a lifelong relationship, that
they divided their domestic and work responsibilities to best provide for the three children they
had together, and that neither partner intended for their decisions and family roles to leave
Brewer at a financial disadvantage later in life.” Id. ¶ 35. Significantly, the court stated that
Brewer was not bringing a statutory claim or asking the court to give her a new legal status or
descriptive title, but rather “wants only to bring common law claims that are available to other
people.” Id. ¶ 38. Overall, Blumenthal appears to reject Hewitt and permits unmarried
cohabitants to bring common law claims against each other.
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¶ 26 Freedman repeatedly contends that unmarried cohabitants should have property rights.
What Freedman fails to grasp is that based on Blumenthal, unmarried cohabitants do have
property rights, and can enforce them using common law claims. However, Freedman's claim
for palimony is insufficient because it consists of a bare request for half of Muller's earnings
accumulated during their relationship, without any reference to a common law claim that could
lead to such relief. This prevents her claim from being a legally recognized cause of action in
Illinois. Her palimony claim incorporates 23 paragraphs of factual allegations and statements,
states that the parties "cohabited and lived in a marital like relationship" for 10 years
continuously and then on-and-off for 4 years, and asserts that "[c]ertain courts have recognized
property rights that unmarried cohabitants have upon dissolution of their relationship."
Freedman has not stated what property rights, if any, she has in half of Muller's earnings.
¶ 27 Out-of-state jurisdictions, heavily relied upon by Freedman, also do not allow for a
palimony claim as framed in her complaint. Freedman's cited cases involve equitable grounds or
a promise or agreement, whether express or implied, concerning the property at issue. In Marvin
v. Marvin, 557 P.2d 106, 116 (Cal. 1976), the court found that “adults who voluntarily live
together and engage in sexual relations are nonetheless as competent as any other persons to
contract respecting their earnings and property rights” and noted that the plaintiff had alleged
that the parties “agreed to pool their earnings, *** contracted to share equally in all property
acquired, and that [the] defendant agreed to support plaintiff.” In Glasgo v. Glasgo, 410 N.E.2d
1325, 1327, 1331 (Ind. Ct. App. 1980), the court stated that recovery for unmarried people
“would be based only upon legally viable contractual and/or equitable grounds which the parties
could establish according to their own particular circumstances,” and noted that the plaintiff
“invoked both contractual and equitable grounds” for relief. See also Wood v. Collins, 812 P.2d
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951, 956 (Alaska 1991) (“[p]roperty accumulated before separation should be divided by
determining the express or implied intent of the parties”); Boland v. Catalano, 521 A.2d 142,
145 (Conn. 1987) (stating that cohabitation alone does not create a contractual relationship or
impose other legal duties on the parties, but that “[o]rdinary contract principles are not
suspended *** for unmarried persons living together”); Crossen v. Feldman, 673 So. 2d 903, 903
(Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996) (where woman sought to enforce oral contract for support during
pregnancy and for a reasonable time thereafter, court stated “this case simply involves whether
these parties entered into a contract for support, which is something they are legally capable of
doing”); Hudson v. DeLonjay, 732 S.W.2d 922, 927 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987) (noting that the
relevant inquiry was whether there was an agreement, either express or implied in fact, which
was supported by valid consideration and stating that the defendant argued that she and the
plaintiff had an express agreement to pool resources and share assets, or in the alternative, that
the court could find an implied-in-fact contract from the parties’ conduct); Connell v. Diehl, 938
A.2d 143, 153 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2008) (to establish prima facie case for palimony, one
required element is that the defendant promised the plaintiff he or she would support him or her
for life).
¶ 28 Thus, both in Illinois and in other jurisdictions, parties have mutually enforceable
property rights. However, Freedman's palimony claim sought one-half of Muller's earnings
without asserting any equitable claim or any sort of promise or agreement that would lead to that
relief. To be sure, Freedman’s complaint notes various financial promises made by Muller.
According to Freedman, when it was discovered that Muller had a lung tumor, he convinced her
that if she would take care of him physically and emotionally, he would take care of Freedman
financially. However, this promise was made in the context of taking care of Muller's health,
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and we fail to see the connection between this promise and a claim for one-half of Muller’s
earnings. Freedman’s complaint also describes other promises Muller allegedly made, such as
buying her stock and properties. Although Freedman initially states in her reply brief that these
promises would have amounted to financial support for the rest of her life, she later states in her
reply brief that the complaint “does not plead a lifetime promise of support.” As such, Muller's
other promises also do not amount to an agreement for one-half of Muller’s earnings. Overall,
Freedman fails to point to any connection between her factual allegations and her requested
remedy of one-half of Muller's income, other than their relationship itself. Because an agreement
or promise or an equitable claim is necessary for Freedman to enforce a property right against
Muller, and her palimony claim does not include those elements, her palimony claim failed to
allege facts sufficient to bring her claim within a legally recognized cause of action, and was
properly dismissed. See Redelmann, 375 Ill. App. 3d at 921.
¶ 29 As an additional concern, if Freedman's palimony claim went forward, we would be
creating an entirely new avenue for relief for unmarried cohabitants. We believe this is a task for
the General Assembly, which has a superior ability to gather and synthesize data and is the “only
entity with the power to weigh and properly balance the many competing societal, economic, and
policy considerations involved.” Charles v. Seigfried, 165 Ill. 2d 482, 493 (1995). However, we
note that Freedman is not left without any potential relief, as her six common law claims against
Muller survived the motion to dismiss.
¶ 30 Freedman additionally contends that Hewitt’s refusal to recognize rights for unmarried
partners while the law recognizes other relationships violates the equal protection and due
process clauses of the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Given Blumenthal’s rejection of
Hewitt and recognition of mutually enforceable property rights, Freedman’s contention is no
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longer relevant. Nonetheless, we agree with Muller that Freedman waived this issue by not
raising it in the circuit court. Generally, reviewing courts will not rule on constitutional issues
unless they were raised and passed upon by the trial court. Saunders v. Michigan Avenue
National Bank, 278 Ill. App. 3d 307, 311 (1996).
¶ 31 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
¶ 32 Affirmed.
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