Firstmerit Bank, N.A. v. Antioch Bowling Lanes, Inc.

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER

JOAN B. GOTTSCHALL, United States District Judge

The character Walter Sobchak once said, “This is bowling. There are rules.” 1 If only the same could be said regarding how the law classifies property items in a bowling alley. The issue in this case is whether various pieces of property at the Antioch Bowling Lanes qualify as fixtures or personalty under Illinois law. A finding that the items constitute fixtures would inure to the benefit of FirstMerit Bank, N.A., which seeks to foreclose on a mortgage; a finding that the items constitute personalty would allow a…