TELEGRAPH SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO et al., Appellees, v. WILLIAM J. SCHILLING, Indiv. and as Commissioner of Savings and Loan Associations, Appellant.
No. 59149
Supreme Court of Illinois
November 30, 1984
Rehearing denied February 1, 1985
105 Ill. 2d 166
For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent.
RYAN, C.J., and UNDERWOOD, J., join in this dissent.
Baker & McKenzie, of Chicago (Francis D. Morrissey, James G. Staples, Daniel J. O‘Connor, and Thomas A. Doyle, of counsel), for appellees.
JUSTICE MORAN delivered the opinion of the court:
Plaintiffs, Telegraph Savings and Loan Association of Chicago and the officers and directors thereof (collectively referred to as Telegraph), filed a complaint in the circuit court of Cook County against defendant, William J. Schilling, individually and as Commissioner of Savings and Loan Associations for the State of Illinois (Commissioner). Telegraph challenged the Commissioner‘s closing of the Association without advance written notice or a valid finding of an “emergency” situation which would excuse the advance-written-notice requirement (
The central issue raised on appeal is whether Telegraph is entitled to a State court determination of the State-law “emergency” issue raised in its complaint.
The general background information necessary for an understanding of the issue is disclosed in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals opinion, Telegraph Savings & Loan Association v. Schilling (7th Cir. 1983), 703 F.2d 1019. In the late 1970‘s, Telegraph, an Illinois chartered savings and loan association, failed to meet the reserve and net worth minimums required by
Telegraph‘s financial condition was the subject of subsequent meetings held in 1979 and 1980. A take-over plan was devised which involved the joint efforts of the Commissioner, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB), and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC).
The record reveals that on May 22, 1980, the Commissioner took custody of Telegraph pursuant to section 7-8 of the Illinois Savings and Loan Act (Act) (
“Unless the Commissioner finds that an emergency exists which may result in loss to members or creditors and requires that he take custody immediately, he first shall give written notice to the directors, trustees, or liquidators specifying the conditions criticized and state a reasonable time within which correction may be made.”
The Commissioner did not give advance written notice of intent to take custody. Rather, he appeared at Telegraph‘s offices on the day of the seizure with a document entitled “NOTICE OF TAKING CUSTODY OF TELEGRAPH SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO.” This notice states that the Commissioner had made a finding that the withdrawable and perma-
Almost immediately after the Commissioner presented Telegraph‘s president with the notice, the FHLBB appointed the FSLIC as receiver of Telegraph, pursuant to
In the instant appeal, the Commissioner has raised several issues for review by this court. Before we reach those issues, we must address an issue raised by Telegraph. It argues that this court lacks jurisdiction because the Commissioner failed to file his petition for leave to appeal within 35 days after the entry of the judgment appealed from, as mandated by Supreme Court Rule 315(b) (
Because we find that this court does have jurisdiction, we turn to the arguments raised by the Commissioner. Initially he contends that Telegraph lacks capacity to maintain this action. In support of this contention he relies on
The Commissioner cites three Federal cases which, he contends, adopt this position. (First Savings & Loan Association v. First Federal Savings & Loan Association (D. Hawaii 1981), 531 F. Supp. 251; First Savings & Loan Association v. First Federal Savings & Loan Association (D. Hawaii 1982), 547 F. Supp. 988; Manning Savings & Loan Association v. Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corp. (N.D. Ill. Sept. 14, 1983), No. 83-C-757.) The Commissioner‘s reliance on these cases is misplaced. It is true that these cases expressly recognize that the FSLIC acquires all powers necessary to administer the operations of a seized institution pursuant to the regulations (
“Immediately upon taking custody of an association or trust, the Commissioner shall mail a written notice thereof to the president or secretary and not less than 2 directors of such association, or to 2 or more of the trustees of any trust, or 2 or more of the liquidators of an association in liquidation. If the contention is made that the Commissioner has no legal grounds for taking custody of the association or trust, the directors or officers of the association or the trustees or liquidators thereof, as the case may be, at any time within 10 days after the mailing of such notice, or within such further periods of time as the Commissioner may extend, but not to exceed an additional 60 days, may file a complaint in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, Illinois or in the Circuit Court of the county in which the association is located, to enjoin further custody. The court thereupon shall cite the Commissioner to show cause why further custody should not be enjoined. If upon a hearing thereon, the court finds that such grounds did not or do not then exist, it may enter an appropriate order in accordance with the findings of fact, or an order enjoining the Commissioner or any appointees acting under his direction from further custody.”
Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 32, par. 852 , nowIll. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 17, par. 3195 .
The powers granted to the Federal receiver, pursuant to the Federal regulation, and the Commissioner pursuant to section 7-10 of the Act are merely the administrative powers necessary for the receiver to conduct the business operations of the seized institution. The bestowal of such powers does not deprive the seized institution of its statutory right to challenge the Commissioner‘s original take-over. The clear language of the statute indicates otherwise. Thus, by bringing its State action pursuant to section 7-12 of the Act, Telegraph was merely exercising its statutory right to judicial review of the Commissioner‘s actions. Furthermore, as Telegraph correctly observes, this court has previously stated “that
The Commissioner further argues that the resolution of Telegraph‘s claims in Federal court, under
On June 2, 1980, Telegraph filed lawsuits in the circuit court of Cook County (No. 80-CH-3860) and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (No. 80-C-2792) (original Federal action). The original Federal action involved a determination of whether the statutory requirements for the appointment of an FSLIC receivership had been satisfied. (
Telegraph, by its complaint filed in State court on June 12, 1980, contended that “no emergency existed with respect to [the Association] and further the Commissioner did not purport to make a valid finding that such an emergency existed.” As such, Telegraph maintained that the Commissioner acted in abuse of his discretion by taking custody of the Association without advance written notice. (
The Commissioner‘s motion to dismiss was granted by the trial court. The transcript from the hearing on that motion indicates that the trial court, relying on the June 12 dismissal of the removed Federal action, found that the Federal court had assumed jurisdiction on the merits of the case. In addition, the court concluded that injunctive relief was no longer possible under the circumstances of the case. Finally, it indicated that if an action were sustained in the State court, the action would be in damages. The judge, however, declined to grant Telegraph‘s oral motion to transfer the complaint to the law division.
At this point, therefore, Telegraph was limited to its original Federal action (No. 80-C-2792) wherein State and Federal statutory violations were asserted. This action was ultimately resolved in favor of the Federal defendants. The Federal court, however, refused to consider the State-law claim. In a February 19, 1982, order for a status hearing, the district court indicated that it was of the opinion that it should refuse to exercise pen-
“The fact that [the district court] dismissed the separately pleaded state law counts without prejudice merely indicates that these claims are independent of Telegraph‘s challenge to a federal receivership under federal law. The dismissal cannot be read as a ruling on the validity of the state claims.” Telegraph Savings & Loan Association v. Schilling (7th Cir. 1983), 703 F.2d 1019, 1029-30.
Because the Federal court refused to assert pendent jurisdiction over the counts based entirely on State law, and dismissed the claims without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction, the appellate court, in the instant case, determined that Telegraph was entitled to a State-court adjudication of those issues. Accordingly it reversed the circuit court‘s dismissal of the action, stating:
“Whatever the binding effect of the opinion of the Court of Appeals [Seventh Circuit] may be on certain facets of the litigation, it does not necessarily foreclose a finding by the State court of a lack of an emergency. *** Telegraph has a right to have its State law claims resolved in a State court.” 115 Ill. App. 3d 331, 340.
We agree.
The doctrine of collateral estoppel has been defined
In the third issue raised by the Commissioner, he maintains that Telegraph‘s complaint fails to state a cause of action under section 7-12 of the Act (
Telegraph‘s complaint, filed June 2, 1980 (No. 80-CH-3860), while brought only in the name of the Association, was filed within the 10-day period required by section 7-12 of the Act. When this action was removed to Federal district court (No. 80-C-2782), through no fault of Telegraph but upon petition of the Federal defendants, the time for filing an action challenging the Commissioner‘s actions was tolled. Thus, when Telegraph filed the instant State action (No. 80-CH-4170) on June 12, 1980, the very day the removed Federal action was dismissed, it was as if Telegraph was filing on the 10th day following the take-over.
Further the 10-day limitation period mandated by section 7-12 should be analyzed in view of its purpose. As succinctly stated in a 1954 decision of this court:
“The basic policy of [statutes of limitation] is to afford a defendant a fair opportunity to investigate the circumstances upon which liability against him is predicated while the facts are accessible. *** As observed by Mr. Justice Holmes in New York Central Railroad v. Kinney, 260 U.S. 340, 342, ‘Of course an argument can be made on the other side, but when a defendant has had notice from the beginning that the plaintiff sets up and is trying to enforce a claim against it because of specified conduct, the reasons for the statute of limitations do not exist, and we are of opinion that a liberal rule should be applied.‘” (Geneva Construction Co. v. Martin Transfer & Storage Co. (1954), 4 Ill. 2d 273, 289-90.)
Finally, the Commissioner argues that the appellate court erred in finding that the issue of damages was not waived by Telegraph. While conceding that injunctive relief was not viable, because the Commissioner no longer had custody of Telegraph, the appellate court concluded that Telegraph was not necessarily barred from relief. Section 7-12 of the Act, in addition to providing for injunctive relief, provides in relevant part: “If upon a hearing thereon, the court finds that such grounds [for taking custody] did not or do not then exist, it may enter an appropriate order ***.” (
“Although it held that the federal appointment could not be challenged under state law, the district court [564 F. Supp. 862, 880] noted that if either the state or federal authorities violated state law, Telegraph may have an action for damages under Illinois law, Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 32, sec. 852, or under federal law, 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983.” 703 F.2d 1019, 1024 n.4.
Further, the appellate court, in the instant case, held that Telegraph had not waived its right to such relief because it failed to specifically seek damages or submit a proposed amendment. Telegraph made two general requests to amend its complaint, in a reply to the Commissioner‘s brief in support of his motion to dismiss and orally during the hearing on the motion to dismiss. During that hearing, the court noted “that if an action were
Section 34 of the Civil Practice Act (
For the reasons stated herein, the judgment of the appellate court reversing the dismissal of the circuit court and remanding for further proceedings, is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
JUSTICE UNDERWOOD, dissenting:
I do not share my colleagues’ opinion that the doctrine of collateral estoppel is inapplicable here, nor do I believe that an action for damages is permissible in these
The majority cites section 7-12 of the Illinois Savings and Loan Act (
“*** If the contention is made that the Commissioner has no legal grounds for taking custody of the association or trust, the directors or officers of the association or the trustees *** may file a complaint *** to enjoin further custody. The court thereupon shall cite the Commissioner to show cause why further custody should not be enjoined. If upon a hearing thereon, the court finds that such grounds did not or do not then exist, it may enter an appropriate order in accordance with the findings of fact ***.” (Emphasis added.)
It seems to me that this provision unambiguously limits the plaintiff association to injunctive relief. There is simply nothing to suggest that damages are recoverable. The term “appropriate order,” emphasized by the majority, obviously refers to the provisions of an order granting or denying the injunction, as that is the only purpose of the hearing. Too, if the General Assembly had intended to provide for damages in these circumstances, it seems likely that it would have explicitly stated so, for “[t]he body of the statute cannot encompass a broader subject than is stated in the title.” People v. Tibbitts (1973), 56 Ill. 2d 56, 64; 1A Sutherland, Statutory Construction sec. 18.01 et seq. (4th ed. 1972).
However, even if I were to concede that damages are recoverable under section 7-12, the Federal court proceedings involved here would, in my judgment, bar Telegraph‘s State court action on collateral estoppel grounds. As the majority points out, to prevail in its suit
“From July 1, 1979, to April 30, 1980, Telegraph‘s book net worth steadily declined from nearly $5 million to $450,000.00. The operational losses for April 1980 alone exceeded $734,000.00. On May 19, Telegraph‘s comptroller made the following projection:
‘Based upon my review of the books and records of Telegraph as of May 19, 1980 and taking into consideration my knowledge of the financial circumstances of Telegraph, I estimate that for the period May 1 through 19, 1980, Telegraph had lost $591,778.29 and I projected that for the entire month of May, Telegraph would lose $983,147.86.’ [citation.] On the basis of the projections of Telegraph‘s own comptroller, Telegraph had a negative book net worth of approximately $142,000.00 on May 19 and of approximately $240,000.00 on May 22.” (Telegraph Savings & Loan Association v. Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corp. (N.D. Ill. 1982), 564 F. Supp. 880, 888-89.)
In addition, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals observed that “[t]he evidence overwhelmingly establishes that Telegraph was in precarious financial condition and was continuing to decline.” Telegraph Savings & Loan Association v. Schilling (7th Cir. 1983), 703 F.2d 1019, 1025.
Curiously, the majority apparently does not believe these findings would be binding or relevant in a State court proceeding aimed at determining Telegraph‘s financial status. Of course, to actually recover damages Telegraph will also have to show that it has suffered
I would accordingly reverse the judgment of the appellate court and affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County.
RYAN, C.J., and SIMON, J., join in this dissent.
JUSTICE SIMON, also dissenting:
While I join Justice Underwood‘s disagreement with the majority‘s decision to allow an additional trial for Telegraph, I would like to point to other areas of dissatisfaction I have with the majority opinion. First, I agree with Justice Underwood‘s analysis of the collateral-estoppel issue, which requires a complete bar of a trial at the State level. Even if the majority view that the dismissal of the State-law counts indicates that these are claims independent of the Federal action is accepted, I do not believe the circuit court has a free hand at this new trial to allow adjudication of all facts relating to whether an emergency situation existed at the time of the takeover. Collateral estoppel acts as a bar to relitigation of “controlling fact[s] or question[s] material to determination” of the causes of action brought by the same party. (Slip op. at 7, citing Housing Authority v. Young Men‘s Christian Association (1984), 101 Ill. 2d 246, 252.) It is clear to me that the factual determinations of the Federal courts concerning the financial stability of Telegraph at the time of the takeover cannot be relitigated, even accepting the majority‘s allowance of another trial which deals exclusively with the emergency issue. Instead, all
Second, I agree with Justice Underwood‘s judgment that no damages are contemplated by section 7-12 of the Illinois Savings and Loan Act (
Moreover, the damage issue involves numerous issues, as yet unexplored, which may immunize the defendant with regard to his actions as commissioner. For example, the defendant should not be personally liable for an inadvertent technical violation of the statute. Instead, a showing of bad faith or a wilful violation of the statute‘s requirements would be necessary. See
Finally, I am disturbed by the majority‘s conclusion because it may lead to future losses to depositors. The savings and loan industry is regulated by both Federal and State authorities. While State regulation is important, the insurance of depositor accounts is provided by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) in conjunction with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB). If our commissioner of savings and loan associations is held personally accountable for
RYAN, C.J., and UNDERWOOD, J., join in this dissent.
