Judge maintains decision to dismiss man's lawsuit against Richmond

A Texas developer trying to sue the village of Richmond for $2 million was not in court Wednesday to defend his case.

McHenry County Judge Michael Chmiel denied David Jones’ requests to go back on several rulings, including Chmiel’s order to dismiss Jones’ lawsuit against the village. Jones, a developer, alleges that the village fined him without notice for failing to maintain the property that formerly housed Andre’s Steakhouse.

Jones bought the property at 11106 N. Route 12 in Richmond in 2003, records show. At the time, he intended to open his own restaurant and banquet hall in the space.

Although the village filed several notices of the weed liens with the McHenry County circuit clerk, Jones only learned about the fines when they appeared on his credit report, he said.

He believes the village wants to erect new government offices on the land, which is about
100 feet south of the Richmond water tower.

The village first took Jones to court to try to collect the money in October 2017. Chmiel went on to rule in favor of the village in July – a decision Jones quickly followed up with a $2 million counterclaim, accusing the village of trying to force him off the property.

Jones, however, has not been present for the court proceedings that followed, but he has continued to file requests to reverse the decisions Chmiel makes in his absence.

“It’s expensive to fly from Austin to Chicago and pay for a hotel and everything else, and all I was asking for was cooperation,” Jones said.

Jones agreed to dismiss the counterclaim and pay $2,036 toward the judgment on two liens, but he had not done so as of Wednesday.

Attempts to reach the village’s attorney, John Murray, by phone Wednesday were unsuccessful. Between court dates, Jones emails Murray to keep in touch and has asked to present his arguments to the judge over the phone.

“He files the motions sporadically and asks that [I] present his arguments and make his case for him,” Murray said in court Wednesday.