Wilton takes hit in tollway foreclosure suit

Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Griffin ruled Friday to strike and dismiss the counterclaims of Wilton Partners in a foreclosure suit over loan defaults on the reconstruction of seven tollway-system oases.

Wilton had argued breach of contract against the foreclosure filed by iStar Financial, but the firm was not represented in court at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, and Griffin sided with iStar attorney Synde Keywell in striking and dismissing the motions - although without prejudice, allowing Wilton 28 days to file any other counterclaims.

iStar filed the foreclosure last year over an $82 million construction loan on the tollway oases. Wilton, a top contributor to disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich, won the contract to redevelop the oases early in his administration, but in the end failed to make required payments on the loan.