Cook County judge orders Horizon Farms closed; future uncertain

A Cook County judge has ordered the Forest Preserves of Cook County to close Horizon Farms in Barrington Hills until a dispute between the preserves and the site's previous owners is resolved.

Forest preserve spokeswoman Lambrini Lukidis labeled the issue a “landlord-tenant” dispute that the county is committed to resolving quickly so it can reopen the 397-acre equestrian estate at 311 Algonquin Road.

Richard Kirk Cannon, who owned Horizon Farms with his wife, Meryl Squires Cannon, until the county bought it out of foreclosure, said forest preserve officials are wrong to think they are going to reopen the property to the public.

“I'm sure they'd like to believe that, but the judge said it is closed and I don't see him changing his mind based on his ruling.” he said.

Cannon said the dispute stems from a lease which grants exclusive use of Horizon Farms to a company called Royalty Farms LLC. Royalty Farms sued the forest preserve district for breach of the lease, and the judge ruled that the lease be honored, Cannon said.

Lukidis said the lease only came to the county's attention in October 2014, almost a full year after the Cannons were ordered to vacate the property in November 2013.

“We were not aware of this lease agreement that they say they now have,” she said. “Back when foreclosure happened, they were supposed to release all contracts and leases.”

Lukidis said the forest preserve district was disappointed with the judge's decision because it means a temporarily closure of Horizon Farms.

“We dispute the claim, but are respectfully working through the court process to come to a resolution,” she added.

Barrington Hills Village President Martin McLaughlin said he is sorry to see Horizon Farms closed.

“I'd hate to see it shut down for an extended period of time,” McLaughlin said. “It is an excellent resource for our village and the region.”

An attorney for Royalty Farms did not return a call for comment.

Cannon said he and his wife hope to regain control of the property.

“Our plan to get the (county's) purchase reversed and return it to its rightful owners,” he said.

The Cannons filed suit against the forest preserve district after the county acquired Horizon Farms in 2013 for $14.5 million.

Their suit argues the forest preserve district didn't have legal standing to complete the sale, because the Cannons were still trying to work out a deal to get out of a 2009 foreclosure.

In May, a state appellate court upheld a lower court's 2014 decision in the forest preserve district's favor. The Cannons are now asking the Illinois Supreme Court to consider the appeal.

Cannon said if the Illinois Supreme Court decides not to take their case, they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.