Illinois Official Reports

Appellate Court

CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Bermudez, 2014 IL App (1st) 122824

Appellate Court CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Successor by Merger to ABN MRO Caption Mortgage Group, Inc., Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JUANITA BERMUDEZ and HECTOR ACEVEDO, Defendants-Appellants.

District & No. First District, Sixth Division Docket No. 1-12-2824

Rule 23 Order filed December 31, 2013 Rule 23 Order withdrawn January 22, 2014 Opinion filed January 24, 2014

Held In mortgage foreclosure proceedings where defendants sought to set (Note: This syllabus aside the sale of their home and the trial court’s order confirming the constitutes no part of the sale based on their claim that they had sought assistance through the opinion of the court but Home Affordable Modification Program, the trial court did not abuse has been prepared by the its discretion in denying defendants’ motion and confirming the sale, Reporter of Decisions since defendants failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence for the convenience of that they did apply for assistance under the program, despite the the reader.) efforts that they made.

Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, No. 09-CH-37001; the Review Hon. Darryl B. Simko, Judge, presiding.

Judgment Affirmed.

Counsel on Al Hofeld, Jr., and Jeanne M. Charles, both of Law Offices of Al Appeal Hofeld, Jr., of Chicago, for appellants.

Michael Gilman, of Dykema Gossett PLLC, of Chicago, for appellee.

Panel JUSTICE REYES delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. Justices Hall and Lampkin concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

¶1 This appeal arises from a mortgage foreclosure action involving a property owned by defendants Juanita Bermudez (Bermudez) and Hector Acevedo (Acevedo) (collectively defendants). 1 Defendants sought to save their residence from foreclosure by obtaining assistance through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) a component of the Making Home Affordable Program (MHAP). 2 It was only after a judgment of foreclosure and sale was entered and the property was sold at a judicial sale that defendants appeared in the lawsuit. ¶2 Defendants now appeal from the circuit court of Cook County’s denial of their motion to set aside the judicial sale and the order confirming the judicial sale pursuant to section 15-1508(d-5) of the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law (Foreclosure Law) (735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2012)). Defendants also appeal from the circuit court’s denial of leave to file a late reply in support of their motion to set aside the sale, the denial of leave to file a

1 Hector Acevedo is the grandson of Juanita Bermudez.

2 HAMP is a program jointly created by the Department of Treasury, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), which offers financial incentives to mortgage lenders to modify the home loans of borrowers in danger of foreclosure. The program was created under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), and signed into law on October 3, 2008. 12 U.S.C. § 5201 (2012). EESA implements programs paid for by the Troubled Asset Relief Program (12 U.S.C. §§ 5211, 5225 (2006 & Supp. II 2009)) and allocated $700 billion to the United States Treasury to restore financial stability. On February 18, 2009, the Treasury created the Making Home Affordable Program, a comprehensive plan to prevent avoidable foreclosures after the collapse of the housing market in 2008. See CitiMortgage Inc. v. Johnson, 2013 IL App (2d) 120719, ¶ 32. Participation in HAMP is mandatory for government sponsored entities (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and voluntary for non-GSEs. Fannie Mae, as financial agent, and Freddie Mac, as compliance agent, contract with loan servicers to ensure compliance with HAMP Guidelines.

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late response to a motion to strike an affidavit, and an order denying them leave to obtain limited discovery concerning HAMP requirements for Freddie Mac mortgages. ¶3 For the reasons that follow, we affirm the decision of the circuit court.

¶4 BACKGROUND ¶5 On October 2, 2009, CitiMortgage filed a mortgage foreclosure complaint alleging defendants were in default for failing to tender the required mortgage payments on property located at 5140 W. George, Chicago (the property), as of June 1, 2009. Defendants did not file an answer and did not immediately file an appearance. 3 ¶6 On October 7, 2009, defendants retained attorney Matthew Wildermuth (Wildermuth) to assist them in obtaining a permanent loan modification. 4 On December 14, 2009, while the foreclosure litigation was pending, defendants received correspondence from CitiMortgage offering them the opportunity to participate in a stated income “Trial Period Plan” (TPP) under HAMP based upon information provided by defendants over the telephone. A TPP is a “three-month forbearance plan time period during which the Borrower makes payments that are an estimate of the anticipated modified payment amount, as one of the preconditions to modification.” HAMP Bulletin 2009-6 § C65.1(a) (Mar. 11, 2009). HAMP guidelines permit a servicer to issue a TPP based upon information either provided verbally or through required documentation. 5 The letter indicated defendants could qualify for a TPP if they: (1) formally accepted CitiMortgage’s offer; (2) executed a hardship affidavit; (3) provided specific documentation as required in an attached checklist 6 ; and (4) tendered three monthly payments in the amount of $1,120.63. Defendants were required to provide all forms, documentation, and the first payment to CitiMortgage by January 1, 2010. Under HAMP guidelines a servicer, such as CitiMortgage, could not issue a HAMP loan modification until it verified the borrower’s income and eligibility for a HAMP loan modification. HAMP

3 Defendants appeared in the matter in April 2011. Defendants never filed an answer to the mortgage foreclosure complaint.

4 Counsel did not file an appearance in the foreclosure matter.

5 The HAMP Guide allowed servicers, such as CitiMortgage, to either issue a TPP based upon information borrowers verbally furnish (stated income TPP), or to require borrowers to submit all required documentation necessary to verify eligibility and income before issuing a verified income TPP. HAMP Bulletin 2009-10 § C65.5 (Apr. 21, 2009). A borrower must submit the same amount and types of documentation regardless of whether the lender chooses to offer a stated income TPP or a verified income TPP. Id. HAMP Bulletin 2010-3, issued on February 4, 2010, announced the elimination of stated income TPPs for the TPPs with effective dates on or after June 1, 2010. Instead, a borrower must now prove up front he or she qualifies for a TPP before he or she is offered one.

6 The documents required are discussed at length later in this section.

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Bulletin 2009-10 § C65.5 (Apr. 21, 2009). If all conditions were met, defendants would be offered a permanent loan modification under HAMP as early as April 2010. ¶7 In response to the letter, defendants submitted their first TPP payment on January 9, 2010. On January 22, 2010, Wildermuth submitted the executed TPP agreement and defendants’ financial documentation to CitiMortgage on defendants’ behalf. Defendants’ hardship affidavit, however, was missing the signature page. Defendants also submitted a joint Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form, even though they are not joint filers. The documents required to verify defendants’ income were not completely executed, as Acevedo failed to complete a suitable tax transcript release form, 7 which prevented the IRS from releasing tax information to CitiMortgage. ¶8 Meanwhile, also on January 22, 2010, the circuit court entered an order of default and judgment of foreclosure and sale pursuant to section 15-1506 of the Foreclosure Law (735 ILCS 5/15-1506 (West 2010)) against the subject property and all defendants. Notwithstanding the order of default and judgment of foreclosure, CitiMortgage continued to communicate with defendants regarding the TPP and voluntarily suspended the foreclosure proceedings pending verification of defendants’ financial status. ¶9 On March 2, 2010, two months after the acceptance date of the TPP, Wildermuth transmitted additional documents to CitiMortgage by facsimile. Out of these documents, defendants did not complete line five of the tax transcript release form, a provision which was necessary to authorize the IRS to release tax information to CitiMortgage. Additionally, Acevedo identified his past and current residence as the property address, which did not match the address provided in his paycheck stubs and tax transcript release form. 8 ¶ 10 On May 12, 2010, after CitiMortgage requested defendants furnish the necessary supporting documentation, defendants continued to fail to submit an executed hardship affidavit, the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit/loss statement for Acevedo, and fully executed tax transcript release forms for each defendant. ¶ 11 On August 17, 2010, CitiMortgage forwarded a letter to defendants at the property address indicating that they were ineligible for a permanent HAMP loan modification due to their deficient documentation. As a result, the TPP was terminated. ¶ 12 Thereafter, Wildermuth continued to submit documents on behalf of defendants in an attempt to obtain a permanent loan modification under HAMP. On August 30, 2010, Wildermuth faxed Acevedo’s tax form, which was signed on May 12, 2010, and was incomplete, as it was missing the authorization to release his prior tax returns to CitiMortgage. On October 26, 2010, Wildermuth faxed two new tax forms from Acevedo and Bermudez, which were signed on September 27, 2010, but these documents still did not

7 A form 4506-T is an Internal Revenue Services document which, if fully executed, allows a third party to obtain one’s prior federal tax returns. A form 4506T-EZ is the short form of that document.

8 To qualify for a permanent loan modification under HAMP, the borrower must occupy the property as their primary residence. HAMP Bulletin 2009-10 § C65.4 (Apr. 21, 2009).

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include the third-party authorization. Wildermuth also submitted a letter from Acevedo’s employer indicating his year-to-date commissions, which he earned as a real estate agent.

¶ 13 The Sale of the Property and the Motion to Confirm Sale ¶ 14 On February 3, 2011, the property proceeded to judicial sale with CitiMortgage as the highest bidder. On April 11, 2011, CitiMortgage filed a motion to confirm sale and enter an order of possession, which was noticed for hearing on April 21, 2011. ¶ 15 On April 20, 2011, defendants, represented by the Law Offices of Al Holfeld, Jr., LLC, filed a motion for leave to file their appearance and an incorrectly captioned “motion for substitution of counsel.” 9 Defendants also filed a combined motion to set aside the sale and objection to the confirmation of the sale pursuant to section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law (735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2010)). Their motion asserted that the Law Offices of Al Holfeld, Jr., LLC, was retained on April 20, 2011, that defendants had applied for assistance under HAMP, and that the property proceeded to sale in material violation of HAMP. No affidavits or documents were attached in support of their motion. These motions were noticed for hearing on April 29, 2011. ¶ 16 On April 21, 2011, CitiMortgage presented its motion to confirm the sale to the circuit court, which entered a briefing schedule. The order indicated a response to CitiMortgage’s motion had already been filed by defendants and CitiMortgage was permitted to file a reply by May 5, 2011. Hearing on the motion to confirm the sale was set for May 19, 2011. There was no indication in the order that defendants’ counsel was present in court on April 21, 2011.

¶ 17 Defendants’ Motion to Set Aside Sale and Memorandum in Support ¶ 18 On April 29, 2011, defendants presented their motion to set aside the sale and motion for substitution of counsel, the Law Offices of Al Holfeld, Jr., LLC. The circuit court allowed defendants to file a memorandum in support of their motion to set aside the sale and objection to the motion to confirm the sale on or before May 20, 2011. In turn, CitiMortgage’s reply date was changed to June 17, 2011. The hearing date of May 19, 2011, was stricken and a new hearing date of June 28, 2011, was set. The circuit court also granted defendants’ motion to substitute counsel instanter. Defendants, however, did not file their memorandum until June 20, 2011. On June 28, 2011, the circuit court set a new briefing schedule permitting CitiMortgage to file a reply by July 21, 2011, and set the matter for hearing on July 26, 2011. ¶ 19 Defendants’ combined memorandum in support of their motion to set aside the sale and objection to the confirmation of the sale requested the circuit court exercise its “broad discretion” to set aside the sale pursuant to section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law (735

9 No attorney had filed an appearance on behalf of defendants in the foreclosure litigation up until this point. From April 20, 2011, through the appeal, defendants have been represented by the Law Offices of Al Holfeld, Jr., LLC.

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ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2010)). Defendants asserted they were offered a TPP by CitiMortgage over the telephone in December 2009, after having provided their financial information. Defendants alleged they executed all relevant documents and made eight payments pursuant to the TPP. Defendants further alleged that because they submitted all their payments under the TPP, CitiMortgage “did not have the discretion to terminate defendants from the HAMP but were mandated to convert their TPP to a permanent modification.” Defendants further asserted CitiMortgage did not request the missing documents from defendants prior to its termination of defendants from the HAMP program. Lastly, defendants contended CitiMortgage was required to suspend the judicial sale because defendants had previously submitted a timely request for HAMP consideration. ¶ 20 In support of their arguments, defendants attached as Exhibit A relevant portions of the United States Treasury Department’s Making Home Affordable Program Handbook for Servicers of Non-GSE Mortgages (Handbook) and Supplemental Directives. 10

¶ 21 Acevedo’s Affidavit ¶ 22 In support of their memorandum, attached as Exhibit B, was the affidavit of Acevedo in which he averred that in October 2009 he retained Wildermuth to obtain a loan modification. In December 2009 Acevedo received the TPP offer. On January 12, 2010, and January 20, 2010, he and Bermudez executed the TPP agreement. He provided all the required documents to Wildermuth. Acevedo attested: “In late May, we learned through Mr. Wildermuth that Citimortgage [sic] had said that the completed IRS Form 4056T-EZ [sic] had to be sent in. Mr. Wildermuth told me he had had [sic] done this.” Then, on August 27, 2010, “Wildermuth called to tell us that Citi had told him there was a problem with our IRS Form 4056-T [sic]. On or about the same day, we received a letter in the mail to our home from Citimortage [sic] telling us that our application for a permanent modification had been denied due to insufficient information. I did not understand because we had submitted all documents that had been requested of us and had never been asked for documents that we did not provide.” Acevedo further attested “[w]e never received a request from Citimortgage [sic] to provide any of the documents they claimed were missing.” Eight payments were automatically debited from his bank account under the TPP agreement. After he was denied a permanent loan modification, no more payments were debited from his account. Acevedo’s affidavit did not make any reference to the exhibits attached to the memorandum, nor did it state the documents attached as exhibits were true and accurate copies.

10 On appeal, the parties agree their citations to and reliance upon the Handbook and supplemental directives were inappropriate because those provisions do not apply to servicers of GSEs. The parties agree that the mortgage at issue is a Freddie Mac loan and therefore the correct directives are those issued by Freddie Mac in its Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) and in supplemental bulletins (Bulletins).

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¶ 23 Documents Submitted by Defendants for Loan Modification ¶ 24 In support of the memorandum, and attached as Exhibit C, were five separate group documents relating to defendants’ loan modification. The first document was a four-page TPP letter dated December 14, 2009, addressed to defendants at the property address. The letter began, “You may qualify for a Home Affordable Modification Trial Period Plan–a way to make your payment more affordable.” It continued, “We have enclosed a customized Home Affordable Modification Trial Period Plan (‘Trial Period Plan’). If you qualify under the federal government’s Home Affordable Modification Program and comply with the terms of the Trial Period Plan, we will modify your mortgage loan and you can avoid foreclosure.” The letter also indicated “[y]ou may not qualify for this loan modification program.” ¶ 25 To accept the offer, defendants were directed to “take the steps outlined on the enclosed document ‘Complete Your Checklist’ ” by January 1, 2010. The documents listed in the checklist were: “1. Two copies of the enclosed Trial Period Plan signed by all borrowers 2. Your first month’s trial period payment in the amount of $1,120.63 3. The enclosed Hardship Affidavit completed and signed by all borrowers 4. A signed and dated copy of IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) for each borrower (borrowers who filed their tax returns jointly may send in one IRS Form 4506-T signed and dated by both of the joint filers), and 5. Documentation to verify all of the income of each borrower (including any alimony or child support that you choose to rely upon to qualify). This documentation should include: For each borrower who is a salaried employee: Copy of the most recent filed federal tax return with all schedules; and Copy of the two most recent pay stubs. For each borrower who is self-employed: Copy of the most recent filed federal tax return with all schedules; and Copy of the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit/loss statement.” 11 ¶ 26 The third document included in Exhibit C was the five-page “Home Affordable Modification Trial Period Plan” signed by Acevedo on January 12, 2010, and Bermudez on January 20, 2010. Although the TPP agreement contained a signature line for CitiMortgage, it was not executed by CitiMortgage. The fourth document attached to Exhibit C was one page of a two-page hardship affidavit. The affidavit, however, was missing the page containing defendants’ signatures. ¶ 27 The fifth document attached to Exhibit C was a one-page Form 4506T-EZ. 12 The form was required to be executed by both defendants separately, as they were not joint filers. The 11 Only the documents relevant to this appeal are included in the text.

12 Form 4506T-EZ is a substitute for Form 4506-T.

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form, however, was signed by Acevedo and Bermudez, and included only Bermudez’s social security number. The form was intended to allow CitiMortgage to obtain Bermudez’s tax returns from 2007 and 2008. ¶ 28 A CitiMortgage Form 1126, entitled “Borrower Financial Information,” was also attached to Exhibit C. This three-page document was executed by Bermudez and Acevedo and included their personal information, but lacked information regarding Acevedo’s monthly income, or his assets. Further, defendants did not include an address in the form. Under “mailing address” it was written “same” and under “property address” it was written “same.”

¶ 29 Wildermuth’s Affidavit ¶ 30 In support of the memorandum and attached as Exhibit D was the affidavit of Wildermuth. He averred defendants retained him on October 7, 2009, to assist them in obtaining a permanent loan modification under HAMP. He stated “CitiMortgage offered defendants a HAMP TPP via telephone but did not immediately transmit the TPP documents.” He further averred defendants submitted their first payment on January 9, 2010, and that the rest of the TPP payments were tendered on a timely basis. He stated, “On or about January 22, 2010, our office transmitted to Citi via facsimile and overnight mail both the TPP agreement executed by the defendants and a complete application package for a permanent modification.” ¶ 31 In paragraphs three, four, and five, Wildermuth attested his office called CitiMortgage on May 20, 2010, to inquire about the status of the permanent modification and was informed by a CitiMortgage employee “that there was a problem with defendants’ IRS Form [4506T-EZ] and asked us to submit another one.” On May 25, 2010, Wildermuth’s office resubmitted defendants’ Form 4506T-EZ by facsimile. 13 Wildermuth averred that “approximately three more months passed with no definitive word from CitiMortgage concerning the status of defendants’ TPP. On or about August 27, 2010, my paralegal phoned CitiMortgage to inquire again about the status of defendants’ TPP. This time ‘Rick’ informed us there was a problem with defendants’ IRS Form [4506-T].” Wildermuth continued, “[o]n or about August 30, 2010, we submitted a corrected Form [4506-T] to CitiMortgage by facsimile.” ¶ 32 Wildermuth further attested he telephoned CitiMortgage on September 7, 2010, and was informed by a CitiMortgage employee that the bank had closed defendants’ file in early August because it was missing an updated profit and loss statement and Form 4506-T. Wildermuth asserted “[m]y office had not previously been informed of any allegedly ‘missing’ P&L statement.” On October 26, 2010, after gathering the information for the profit and loss statement and corrected Form 4506-T, Wildermuth submitted the documents by facsimile and requested CitiMortgage reopen defendants’ file.

13 We note that throughout the affidavit Wildermuth consistently refers to form 4506T-EZ by the wrong form number. We have changed the form numbers to reflect the correct form throughout his affidavit for ease of reading. Moreover, we again note that Form 4506T-EZ is an acceptable substitute for Form 4506-T as stated in CitiMortgage’s loan modification materials.

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¶ 33 In paragraph seven of his affidavit, Wildermuth stated that on November 23, 2010, one of his paralegals called CitiMortgage and was informed by one of its employees that the file had not been reviewed since August 2010. On January 7, 2011, his law office called CitiMortgage to inquire about the status of defendants’ loan modification and was informed the foreclosure proceedings had resumed and the judicial sale was scheduled for February 3, 2011. Wildermuth attested the CitiMortgage employee instructed him to submit a new HAMP application package. On January 13, 2011, Wildermuth “submitted a complete new HAMP application to CitiMortgage on defendants’ behalf.” On January 31, 2011, Wildermuth was informed by CitiMortgage “that it had terminated its review of defendants’ file for a permanent modification and that it would not postpone the sale of defendants’ home set for February 3, 2011.” Wildermuth did not attest to the veracity of any of the five documents included in the group exhibit attached to defendants’ memorandum in support.

¶ 34 CitiMortgage’s Reply to the Motion to Confirm the Sale and Response to the Motion to Set Aside the Sale ¶ 35 Although the hearing on the motion to confirm the sale was scheduled for June 26, 2011, it did not occur on that date. The trial court allowed CitiMortgage until July 21, 2011, to file its reply and hearing was scheduled for July 26, 2011. ¶ 36 On July 21, 2011, CitiMortgage filed an agreed motion for extension of time to file its reply. CitiMortgage explained it needed more time due to the fact defendants had filed litigation in federal district court regarding the same mortgage and note. ¶ 37 On July 26, 2011, the hearing on the motion to confirm the judicial sale was entered and continued to August 30, 2011, for status. On August 30, 2011, Dykema Gossett PLLC was granted leave to filed an additional appearance on behalf of CitiMortgage and was permitted until October 28, 2011, to file a reply to the motion to confirm the sale. The motion was entered and continued to October 28, 2011, for status. On October 28, 2011, a briefing schedule was set, granting CitiMortgage until November 2, 2011, to file its reply and its motion to strike the affidavit of Wildermuth. Defendant was given until November 30, 2011, to respond to the motion to strike. Hearing on the motion to confirm the judicial sale and the motion to strike was set for January 5, 2012. ¶ 38 On November 2, 2011, CitiMortgage filed its reply to the motion to confirm the sale. CitiMortgage asserted defendants failed to present evidence establishing they were eligible for a HAMP modification, including the signature page of the hardship affidavit, the most recent profit and loss statement for Acevedo, or separate IRS tax Form 4506-T for each of the defendants. CitiMortgage pointed out that no documents were attached to either the Acevedo or Wildermuth affidavit. Additionally, CitiMortgage argued what Wildermuth attested was the profit and loss statement for Acevedo was actually a letter from a real estate company that stated Acevedo was self-employed and the amount of his commissions. CitiMortgage further argued the statements contained in Wildermuth’s affidavit were not based on his personal knowledge, were based on inadmissible hearsay, and did not attach any business records. CitiMortgage also disagreed with defendants, stating the January 13, 2011,

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loan modification request did not seek a HAMP modification, as it did not use the prescribed forms for a HAMP loan modification request, nor did it include the required hardship affidavit. To support its arguments, Citimortgage referenced the supplemental directives relied upon by defendants. ¶ 39 CitiMortgage attached to its response an affidavit of Erin Theobald, a business operations analyst for CitiMortgage. She averred defendants failed to submit properly executed documentation. She further attested that attached to the affidavit were true and correct copies of: the August 17, 2010, notice of nonapproval for the TPP; a fax coversheet from Wildermuth’s office dated August 30, 2010, which included Acevedo’s IRS Form 4506-T dated May 12, 2010; and documents faxed by Wildermuth to CitiMortgage on October 26, 2010, which were comprised of Acevedo’s IRS Form 4506-T, Bermudez’s IRS Form 4506-T, and the letter from a realtor confirming Acevedo’s status as a sales agent and his net earnings.

¶ 40 Defendants’ Motion for Extension of Time ¶ 41 Subsequently, defendants filed a motion for extension of time to file a reply in support of their motion to set aside the sale and to file a response to CitiMortgage’s motion to strike the Wildermuth affidavit. 14 The motion for extension of time set forth that defendants’ counsel’s two-person law firm had approximately 15 briefs due in other matters between Thanksgiving and New Year and “was simply unable to complete them all on time.” Defendants’ counsel stated CitiMortgage’s counsel “graciously agreed to an additional week for the filing of defendants’ reply and response.” Defendants also referenced the several continuances CitiMortgage received to file its briefs in the present case. No affidavit in support of the motion for extension of time was attached. ¶ 42 There were, however, copies of the proposed reply and response to the motion to strike Wildermuth’s affidavit attached to the motion for an extension of time. For the first time in their reply, defendants specifically contended the property was sold in material violation of HAMP because no incomplete information notice was forwarded to defendants as required under HAMP guidelines and supplemental directive No. 10-01 prior to terminating the TPP. Defendants also submitted a “supplemental affidavit of Matthew Wildermuth” in which he averred on May 20, 2010, he telephoned CitiMortgage and was informed about Acevedo’s incomplete IRS Form 4506-T. He further averred he submitted a second HAMP application to CitiMortgage on January 13, 2011.

¶ 43 Hearing on the Motion to Set Aside Sale and Motion to Confirm Sale ¶ 44 On January 5, 2012, the circuit court conducted the hearing on the motion to confirm the sale. After hearing oral arguments the circuit court denied defendants’ motion for an

14 The file stamps on the notice of motion and the motion are illegible. The record, however, reflects the motion was filed on January 3, 2012. - 10 -

extension of time and struck defendants’ reply in support of the motion to set aside the sale. The circuit court also struck paragraphs three, four, five, and seven of Wildermuth’s affidavit. The circuit court further denied defendants’ motion to set aside the sale of the property, granted CitiMortgage’s motion confirming the judicial sale, and entered and continued the matter for presentment of a proposed order approving the sale. There is no record or transcript as to the circuit court’s rationale. 15 On January 12, 2012, the court entered the order approving sale.

¶ 45 Defendants’ Motion to Reconsider ¶ 46 On February 14, 2012, defendants filed a motion to reconsider the denial of their motion for an extension of time, the confirmation of the sale, and the denial of the motion to set aside the sale pursuant to section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law based on the circuit court’s misapplication of the law. 16 Defendants set forth the same assertions as in their stricken reply, that CitiMortgage sold their property in material violation of HAMP because CitiMortgage failed to forward written, incomplete-information notices to defendants before sending them the denial letter. Defendants again relied upon the Handbook and Supplemental Directives used for non-GSE mortgages. 17 ¶ 47 In response to the motion to reconsider, CitiMortgage asserted it provided defendants with verbal and written incomplete information notices and provided them an opportunity to cure application deficiencies both before and after the non-approval notice was sent. CitiMortgage attached to its response: (1) two written insufficient information notices, dated May 12, 2010, and May 26, 2010, sent to defendants at the property address requesting an executed hardship affidavit, completed tax transcript release forms, the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit/loss statement for Acevedo; (2) a March 2, 2010, fax from Wildermuth to CitiMortgage in which Wildermuth transmitted the documents requested by CitiMortgage; and (3) a May 24, 2010, fax from Wildermuth to CitiMortgage transmitting tax transcript release forms for defendants. ¶ 48 In reply, defendants objected to CitiMortgage’s submission of the insufficient- information notices as they were presented for the first time during briefing on the motion to reconsider. Defendants argued the notices were not newly discovered evidence because they

15 The record does not include a memorandum order or bystander’s report of proceedings on this date.

16 The motion to reconsider was timely filed because the thirtieth day fell on a Saturday and Monday, February 13, 2012, was a court holiday. See 5 ILCS 70/1.11 (West 2012); 735 ILCS 5/2-1203 (West 2012).

17 The motion to reconsider was noticed for March 1, 2012, however the record does not include an order from that date. It can be inferred from the record, however, that the trial court set a briefing schedule on the motion to reconsider.

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were available in 2010, a year before hearing on the motion to set aside the sale. In addition, defendants argued the circuit court abused its discretion when it denied their motion for an extension of time to file their reply brief. Defendants asserted they demonstrated good cause for the extension, as they were working on 15 briefs during the time the reply brief was due on this matter and CitiMortgage was given “over 100 additional days” to file its response. ¶ 49 Thereafter, CitiMortgage filed a motion to correct a citation in its response to defendants’ motion to reconsider. 18 CitiMortgage requested the court allow it to reference the relevant portions of the correct version of the HAMP Guide and Bulletins which applied to GSEs. The circuit court granted defendants 14 days, or until May 18, 2012, to supplement their motion in light of CitiMortgage’s citations. On May 22, 2012, two days before the hearing was scheduled on the motion to reconsider, defendants filed a motion for an extension of time to file supplemental citations in support of their motion to reconsider and a motion for leave to issue limited discovery. Defendants asserted their prior citations to non-GSE directives were mostly correct due to Freddie Mac’s adoption of the United States Treasury’s supplemental directives, but that they needed more time to locate the July 28, 2010, version of the Guide. ¶ 50 On May 24, 2012, after hearing oral arguments on defendants’ motion to reconsider, the circuit court granted CitiMortgage’s motion to cite the correct version of the HAMP Guide and Bulletins and denied defendants’ motion for an extension of time to file supplemental citations and for leave to issue limited discovery. The circuit court took the motion to reconsider under advisement. 19 On August 31, 2012, the circuit court issued an order stating: “This matter comes before the Court on the motion of Juanita Bermudez and Hector Acevedo to reconsider this Court’s January 12, 2012, Order Approving Report of Sale and Distribution, Confirming Sale and Order of Possession, it is ordered: The motion is denied.” 20 On September 28, 2012, defendants timely filed their notice of appeal.

¶ 51 ANALYSIS ¶ 52 Defendants’ two main contentions on appeal are that the circuit court erred in: (1) approving the judicial sale of the property; and (2) denying their motion for an extension of time to file their reply brief to the motion to set aside the sale and file a late response to the motion to strike the affidavit of Wildermuth, as well as a motion to obtain limited discovery. We address defendants’ contentions in turn.

18 The record on appeal does not contain a file-stamped copy of this motion. Orders subsequently entered by the circuit court indicate the motion was filed.

19 The record does not contain a record of proceedings or a bystander’s report for this hearing.

20 No record of proceedings or bystander’s report exists for this court date. - 12 -

¶ 53 Order Approving and Confirming Sale and Distribution of the Property ¶ 54 On appeal, defendants contend the circuit court erred in approving the judicial sale of the property because: (1) they applied for assistance under HAMP; and (2) their property was sold in material violation of HAMP. Defendants assert that the language of section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law indicates that it is “more likely than not” that they applied for HAMP. Defendants conclude the sale must be vacated as they have complied with section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law. 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2012). Defendants maintain that because their argument involves issues of law, the standard of review is de novo. ¶ 55 In response, CitiMortgage asserts defendants failed to submit a complete HAMP application, including all required documentation, and, therefore, defendants did not apply for assistance under HAMP as required under section 15-1508(d-5)(i) of the Foreclosure Law. 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5)(i) (West 2010). CitiMortgage contends the standard of review for the approval of a judicial sale is an abuse of discretion.

¶ 56 Standard of Review ¶ 57 At issue on appeal is whether the circuit court properly confirmed the judicial sale of the property. The standard of review of a circuit court’s approval of a judicial sale is an abuse of discretion. Household Bank, FSB v. Lewis, 229 Ill. 2d 173, 178 (2008); Fleet Mortgage Corp. v. Deale, 287 Ill. App. 3d 385, 388 (1997). A circuit court abuses its discretion when its ruling rests on an error of law or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the circuit court. CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Johnson, 2013 IL App (2d) 120719, ¶ 18; Lakefront Plumbing & Heating, Inc. v. Pappas, 356 Ill. App. 3d 343, 350 (2005).

¶ 58 Section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law ¶ 59 We now turn to address defendants’ first contention that the circuit court erred in confirming the judicial sale of the property. A judicial foreclosure sale is not complete until it has been approved by the circuit court. Commercial Credit Loans, Inc. v. Espinoza, 293 Ill. App. 3d 923, 927 (1997). Typically, section 15-1508(b) of the Foreclosure Law (735 ILCS 5/15-1508(b) (West 2012)) governs the circuit court’s analysis in approving or disapproving a sale and is the only means under which a defendant can move to set aside a sale. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. v. Barnes, 406 Ill. App. 3d 1, 4-5 (2010). 21 Section 15-1508(d-5) of the Foreclosure Law, however, provides:

21 Section 15-1508(b) provides, in relevant part, as follows: “Upon motion and notice in accordance with court rules applicable to motions generally, which motion shall not be made prior to sale, the court shall conduct a hearing to confirm the sale. Unless the court finds that (i) a notice required in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 15-1507 was not given, (ii) the terms of sale were unconscionable, (iii) the sale was conducted fraudulently, or (iv) justice was otherwise not done, the court shall then enter an order confirming the sale.” 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(b) (West 2012). - 13 -

“The court that entered the judgment shall set aside a sale held pursuant to Section 15-1507, upon motion of the mortgagor at any time prior to the confirmation of the sale, if the mortgagor proves by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) the mortgagor has applied for assistance under the Making Home Affordable Program established by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and (ii) the mortgaged real estate was sold in material violation of the program’s requirements for proceeding to a judicial sale.” 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2012). Similarly to section 15-1508(b), this section uses the word “shall.” The Foreclosure Law expressly provides that when “shall” is used, it means that something is mandatory and not permissive. 735 ILCS 5/15-1105(b) (West 2012); Lewis, 229 Ill. 2d at 178 (holding the trial court must approve the judicial sale unless it finds that any of the four specified exceptions in section 15-1508(b) are present). Although defendants do not argue that one of the four exceptions to approving the sale pursuant to section 15-1508(b) is present in this case, they do, however, argue that the circuit court erroneously approved the sale in violation of section 15-1508(d-5) because they had applied for assistance under HAMP prior to the sale. 735 ILCS 5/15-1508(d-5) (West 2012). As section 15-1508(d-5) contains the same mandatory language as section 15-1508(b), it thereby provides an alternate vehicle under which a court must set aside a judicial sale if all statutory requirements are met. See Johnson, 2013 IL App (2d) 120719, ¶ 33 (“In order to set a sale aside, section 15-1508(d-5) requires that a defendant file a motion before confirmation of the sale and prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant applied for assistance under the MHA [(MHAP)] and that the sale took place in material violation of the MHA’s [(MHAP’s)] requirements, i.e., the HAMP guidelines, for proceeding to a judicial sale.” (Emphasis in original.)). Thus, under the terms of section 15-1508(d-5), defendants must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they applied for assistance under HAMP and that the real estate was sold in material violation of HAMP’s requirements for proceeding to judicial sale. ¶ 60 Defendants contend that the circuit court erroneously approved the judicial sale of their property because they proved by a preponderance of the evidence that they applied for assistance under MHAP through the Freddie Mac HAMP and the property was sold in material violation of HAMP. The threshold issue, however, is whether defendants “applied for assistance” under HAMP, because without having first applied for assistance under HAMP, their property could not be sold in material violation of HAMP. Moreover, without applying for assistance under HAMP, one cannot obtain the relief sought under section 15-1508(d-5), vacating the judicial sale. ¶ 61 In order to determine whether defendants “applied for assistance” we first turn to the language of section 15-1508(d-5). Initially, we note that this section was adopted by our legislature on July 23, 2010. As this provision is relatively new, little authoritative case law

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exists interpreting the statute. 22 When construing a statute, we must “give effect to the intent of the legislature.” Carter v. SSC Odin Operating Co., 2012 IL 113204, ¶ 37. When the statutory language is clear and unambiguous, we apply its plain and ordinary meaning without looking to outside sources for aid. Blum v. Koster, 235 Ill. 2d 21, 29 (2009). This is because the plain language of a statute is the most reliable indicator of the legislature’s intent. Id. To determine the plain meaning of statutory terms, we consider the statute itself, the subject it addresses, and the intent of the legislature in enacting it. Id. ¶ 62 Defendants do not assert they submitted a complete application, but instead contend they satisfied section 15-1508(d-5) because the intent of the law does not support an interpretation requiring borrowers to have submitted a complete application in order to have “applied for assistance.” They allege to have met their burden by demonstrating it is “more likely than not” they applied for assistance by making TPP payments, submitting a signed TPP agreement, and demonstrating an effort to submit the required documentation. ¶ 63 In order to determine whether defendants “applied for assistance under the Making Home Affordable Program” in accordance with section 15-1508(d-5), we begin by looking to the plain and ordinary meaning of “applied.” See Blum, 235 Ill. 2d at 29. The Foreclosure Law does not define the phrase “applied for assistance” for purposes of section 15-1508(d-5). It is therefore appropriate for us to consult a dictionary to determine its plain meaning. See Relf v. Shatayeva, 2013 IL 114925, ¶ 32 (consulting a dictionary to determine the plain meaning of “personal representative” as it was not defined in the Code of Civil Procedure). To “apply” means “[t]o make a formal request or motion.” Black’s Law Dictionary 116 (9th ed. 2009). A prior edition of Black’s Law Dictionary defined “apply” as follows: “[t]o make a formal request or petition, usually in writing, to a *** company, for the granting of some favor, or of some rule or order, which is within his or their power or discretion.” Black’s Law Dictionary