Midland Hotel Corp. v. Reuben H. Donnelley Corp.

Defendant, The Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation, appeals from a $500,000 verdict and judgment rendered against it in a breach of oral-contract action brought by plaintiff, Midland Hotel Corporation. The award was based on plaintiffs asserted loss of profits caused by defendant’s failure to include it under the “Hotels” listing of its 1981 Visitors Guide.

Defendant issued its first Chicago Visitors Guide and Downtown Directory in July 1981. The Guide was designed for tourists and business travelers and was divided into two sections, the first containing information regarding dining, shopping,…