Judge fines contractor for incomplete home repairs

An administrative hearing judge Tuesday ruled that three Des Plaines homeowners deserve refunds from a home repair contractor who came through town last May in the wake of a freak hailstorm and didn't complete repairs paid for by the residents.

During a special hearing of the city's Consumer Protection Commission, the judge fined Godfather Construction LLC $750 per homeowner and ordered that the company pay roughly $8,000 combined to the three homeowners whose repairs were unfinished.

“They (Godfather) have 35 days to appeal,” said Heather Kruse, an attorney for the city of Des Plaines representing residents.

A representative of Godfather Construction was not present at Tuesday's hearing. The Texas-based company has not responded to the complaints filed by Des Plaines residents, and the city's attempts to contact the principal owners have been in vain, Kruse said.

If Godfather does not appeal the ruling, the city will file a memorandum of judgment with the Cook County Circuit Court in Skokie on behalf of the residents, Kruse said.

“It becomes a sort of lien on the company once it's filed,” she said.

Right now, that's the only recourse for residents trying to recoup some of the insurance money they gave Godfather to get roof and siding repairs done on their homes.