City of Chicago v. McNichols

Mr. Presiding Justice Freeman delivered the opinion of the court. It is contended for the city that the proof did not warrant any verdict; that assumpsit is not the proper form of action; that as the appellees agreed to be paid from the special assessment fund only, they have no general claim and can not recover against the city; that their remedy is by mandamus for the amount collected and not turned over, and for a new and supplemental assessment for the uncollected balance; that the release or waiver signed by appellees released the city in any event except from collection of the installment, and that the verdict is .excessive. That the proof warrants a verdict against the.city for the amount it has collected of the fifth installment of the special assessment is, we think, clear. The voucher contains an express promise to pay. It creates, therefore, to the extent of the fund collected, a contract obligation, and to that extent we know of no reason why the city is not subject to an action ex contractu. If so, assumpsit will lie. There is in this no departure from the manner of compensation prescribed by the statute. Having funds in hand which it has expressly agreed to pay upon the voucher sued on, it is liable upon its promise to pay, as in the case of any other promisor. Cases holding that a warrant drawn against a tax levy discharges the corporation from liability on account of the services for which it is drawn, as in Law v. The People, 87 Ill. 385, see p. 400, referred to by appellant’s counsel, are not in point. It is true “ the warrant is given and received in full satisfaction for the services .rendered or material furnished.” But in the case before us the suit is not for such services or material. It is upon the specific promise to pay according to the terms of the warrant itself. The statute in force when this assessment was made provided that persons accepting a voucher like the one in question here,shall relinquish all claim or lien théreon against the municipality, “ except from the collection of the installment” for which said voucher is issued. '(Sec. 63, Art. 9, Chap. 94, R. S.) The suit in the case before us is brought upon the promise to pay from the funds so collected. The objection that a judgment against the city in such action would result in compelling payment out of the general city property instead of the special assessment fund alone, is not well taken, where, as in this cáse, it appears that the city has collected and holds money belonging to said fund. When so collected, the name under which the money is held is a mere matter of bookkeeping. It is the city and the whole city which holds the money, and the whole city is liable therefor. The remedy is complete at law to the extent of the money so collected and mandamus is not the appropriate remedy, “ Where the ordinary proceedings at law afford a remedy this writ (mandamus) is never awarded.” People v. Clark County, 50 Ill. 213, 215. It appears that §243.99 remains in the city’s possession on account of the interest collected from the fifth installment against which this voucher is drawn. It further appears that the unpaid amount assessed against the city for public benefits is $212. This last can only be collected by general taxation. (Newman v. City of Chicago, 153 Ill. 469, p. 446.) An item from the annual appropriation ordinance appropriating “ for public benefits including the improvement of Randolph street market $21,000,” was introduced in evidence, tending to show that general taxation for public benefits had been resorted to, and payment of such benefits provided for. By its terms the appropriation was for public benefits generally, and out of it can undoubtedly be paid any such benefits remaining unpaid. We regard the evidence as properly admitted.. The total amount collected and on hand liable for the payment of the voucher sued upon is therefore $243.99 interest and $212 assessed against the city for public benefits, making a total of $455.99. From this should be deducted an over-payment of $24 made by the city upon the principal, with which appellant is entitled to be credited, leaving a balance of $431.99, applicable upon appellees’ voucher. It is said by appellant’s counsel that from all that appears, the interest,money collected from property holders “may have been used to pay some other voucher payable out of this fifth installment.” If any of it has been thus used, it was matter of defense, and the burden of proof was on appellant. No such evidence was offered. So far as appears appellees’ voucher was the only one so payable. For the amount collected and not paid over, appellees are entitled to judgment. Whether to compel collection of the balance mandamus is the appropriate remedy is not now before us. At all events appellees are not entitled in this action to recover such uncollected balance. To the extent, then, that the judgment exceeds the sum mentioned, it is erroneous. We do not deem it necessary, however, to send the case back for a new trial. There is a definite amount which the evidence shows appellees are undoubtedly entitled to recover. The judgment of the Circuit Court will therefore be reversed and judgment entered here in favor of appellees for $431.99. Eeversed. Finding of Facts. — The court finds that the appellant has collected and holds the sum of $243.99, which is due upon appellees’ voucher sued on, for interest collected from property-holders upon the fifth installment of the assessment in said voucher mentioned; that there is due upon said voucher the sum of $212 assessed against appellant for public benefits from said assessment; that appellant has paid upon the principal of said voucher $24 more than it has collected, for which it is entitled to be credited; that there is due appellees from appellant after deducting said credit the sum of $431.99.