Malinovich v. George J. Cooke Co., 181 Ill. App. 458 (1913)

June 24, 1913 · Illinois Appellate Court · Gen. No. 17,535

181 Ill. App. 458

Jacob Malinovich and Esther Malinovich, Defendants in Error, v. George J. Cooke Company, Plaintiff in Error.

Gen. No. 17,535.

Landlord and tenant—liability for rent. In an action to recover rent under a written lease which provides that the lessee shall be exempt from liability for rent if at any time during the term a saloon license cannot be obtained for the. premises, it is proper to direct a verdict for plaintiff where the evidence does not support the defense that a license could not be obtained.

Error to the Municipal Court of Chicago; the Hon. Freeman K. Blake, Judge, presiding.

Heard in the Branch Appellate Court at the October term, 1911.

Affirmed.

Opinion filed June 24, 1913.

Harry A. Daugherty, for plaintiff in error.

William A. Cunnea and Joseph P. Rafferty, for defendants in error.

Mr. Justice Barnes

delivered the opinion of the court.

The only alleged error relied on in the brief and argument of plaintiff in error, defendant below, is that the court directed a verdict for the plaintiffs at the close of all the evidence. The suit was brought to recover rent of plaintiff in error as lessee under a written lease. The lessee was exempt from liability for rent if at any time during the term of the lease, as stated therein, a “city of Chicago saloon license cannot be obtained for these premises.” It is contended that there was testimony tending to support the defense that one could not be obtained. There was evidence tending to show certain futile efforts to obtain one. But such evidence was unavailing in view of positive evidence by defendant’s own witness and agent to the very contrary of its contention. As no other question is involved, the judgment is affirmed.

Affirmed.