City of Mattoon v. Mentzer

Defendant Leon Mentzer appeals from the trial court’s grant of a directed verdict in favor of plaintiff City of Mattoon (Mattoon). On appeal, defendant contends (1) the trial court failed to make the proper finding necessary for a directed verdict, (2) his sentence for indirect civil contempt was improper, and (3) the trial court erred by invoking quasi in rem jurisdiction. We affirm.

In 1990, defendant and his wife Mary purchased the property in question, 1701-17011/2 DeWitt Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, from the estate of the Hansens, an elderly couple who had previously occupied the premises.…