Western Ave. Lawsuit: Homeowners Sued By Adler Roofing

JOLIET, IL — James and Mary Keegan, the owners of Joliet's 19th historical local landmark, the Loughran McFarland House at 903 Western Ave., are now defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by a 97-year-old, fourth-generation Joliet business. Adler Roofing is suing the Keegans concerning a $90,000 agreement that the Western Avenue homeowners made with the Joliet roofing company in the summer of 2020, court records reflect.

According to the Will County civil lawsuit, the Keegans agreed to pay Adler Roofing $52,100 for work relating to roof shingle replacement and another $37,900 for work related to the copper edge system.

Adler Roofing finished all the roof shingle replacement work "in good and workmanlike fashion," states the lawsuit filed by Joliet attorney Daniel Adler of the Adler Law Firm, 1616 W. Jefferson St.

However, the Adler Roofing company performed some of the copper edge system work "but stopped work when defendants expressed that they would not pay for it," the lawsuit outlined.

The lawsuit noted that the value of the work already performed on the copper edge system was $14,250.

"Demand has been made upon defendants for payment and defendants have failed to make payment," Adler's lawsuit informed Will County's judges.

The Adlers are seeking a judgment against James and Mary Keegan for $66,350.

On Tuesday, Joliet Patch rang the doorbell at 903 Western Ave. multiple times, and also left a voicemail message on James Keegan's phone seeking comment for this article.

Meanwhile, the city of Joliet website has a lengthy write-up about the historical significance of the Loughran McFarland House at 903 Western Avenue. It was built in 1898.

According to Joliet: "It is a two-and-a-half-story Queen Anne style home with masonry walls comprised of brick and stone, classical features and elements of the Beaux Arts style ... Other important features of this home include the Queen Anne Style wrap-around front porch with classical features, two-story enclosed porch on the western elevation and one story solarium on the east elevation ... At one time, the estate boasted of a 3 par golf course, in-ground pool, orchard, formal gardens and a fully functioning farm with game hens, turkeys and horses ..."

The Adlers contend that back in May 2020, James and Mary Keegan approached Adler Roofing to perform work and supply materials for their house.

The Keegans also signed a letter, dated July 14, 2020, agreeing to pay $90,000 in total for the roof shingle replacement and the copper edge system, according to the lawsuit.

The value of the services performed and the materials supplied to the Keegans is $66,350, and that is why the "plaintiff prays for a judgment to enter against defendant in the amount of $66,350," attorney Daniel Adler declared.

Adler Roofing is a fourth-generation roofing company in Joliet that was started back in 1926. It's located on Joyce Road, near Interstate 80.

One of the last lines of the lawsuit reads in bold capitalized letters, "This is an attempt to collect a debt."