Lawsuit: Illegal Check Cashing At These 3 Joliet Storefronts

JOLIET, IL — The Chicago Jackson Currency Exchange has filed a civil lawsuit in Will County against three Joliet entities accused of being in violation of Illinois law by advertising "Check Cashing" at the Boost Mobile store, 1399 Plainfield Road, a store at 1350 W. Jefferson St. and a third business storefront on Joliet's east side, at 321 Collins St.

The lawsuit names as co-defendants: Plaza Robles, D Mobile Communications and GPM Communications. The plaintiff operates a currency exchange licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation, in downtown Joliet at 360 N. Chicago St.

On June 6, Gilberto Ramirez and his wife entered the Boost Mobile store at 1399 Plainfield Road, the lawsuit states. "Mr. Ramirez speaks and reads both Spanish and English. He observed an exterior sign advertising check cashing services, and he observed a neon sign in English, visible outside, which read in English and Spanish, 'Payroll Checks,'" the lawsuit states.

"Mr. Ramirez approached an employee of GPM and asked if they would cash his payroll check. The employee was behind a glass window in an area protected from the public," court documents indicate.

"The employee took the check, cashed it and deducted a fee for cashing the payroll check, There were no posted scheduled fees for cashing checks," according to Chicago Jackson Currency Exchange.

GPM made an area within its store on Plainfield Road "specifically devoted to check cashing activity. It is a room contiguous to its mobile phone business activity, a cage area similar to those found in licensed Currency exchanges to conduct check cashing business, has been built on the premises," the lawsuit states.

At the time of last week's lawsuit, GPM continued to offer check cashing services to everyone for a fee, the plaintiffs maintain.

The lawsuit indicates Ramirez and his wife entered the Joliet business at 1350 W. Jefferson St on April 26, which also has a sign advertising check cashing services. "Mr. Ramirez ... asked if they would cash his payroll check. Mr. Ramirez was taken to another area of the store where he saw an employee that was behind a glass window in an area protected from the public. The employee took the check, cashed it and deducted a fee for cashing the payroll check," court documents state. "He was not given a receipt for the transaction. There were no posted schedules of fees for cashing checks."

On May 16, Ramirez visited the business at 321 Collins St. that advertises itself as selling Western Wear and Check Cashing, the lawsuit indicates. On that occasion, the employee took Ramirez's check and cashed it, deducting a fee for cashing the payroll check, the plaintiffs contends.

"There were no posted schedules of fees for cashing checks. Each of the defendants provided services ... of check cashing services for a fee or service charge. None of the defendants are licensed by the State of Illinois to operate a Currency exchange at their current location or any other location in the State of Illinois," the plaintiffs argue.

"The defendants, and each of them, are conducting an unregulated money services business. The alleged conduct of each of the defendants constitutes actions of unfair competition against the plaintiff, a licensed Currency exchange in good standing with the Secretary of State and the IDFPR," court records reflect.

The lawsuit indicates that operating an unlicensed currency exchange is a Class A criminal misdemeanor and that state law provides for injunctive relief that can be initiated by licensed Currency exchanges.

"The Plaintiff seeks a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction to be made permanent, restraining each of the defendants from operating or performing any function or activities that are by statue to be performed only by licensed Currency exchanges," the lawsuit reflects.

In addition to being granted a favorable verdict, the plaintiffs are also seeking reasonable attorneys fees plus the costs of bringing their lawsuit forward at the Will County Courthouse.