Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez has filed a lawsuit against an Oak Forest business and its owner for violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, after the company failed to complete home repairs and remodeling projects on homes in the south suburbs.

Todd Swartzentruber, president and owner of Hanlon’s Windows and Siding, Inc., 15530 S. Cicero Ave., in Oak Forest, is accused of defrauding consumers of more than $20,000 in down payments in connection with at least 10 contracts for home repair and remodeling services.

The lawsuit alleges that Swartzentruber, after accepting down payments, did not start work, nor did he issue refunds when requested by customers. Repair work Hanlon Windows and Siding contracted to perform included windows, siding, soffits, fascia and gutters on homes located in Lemont, Matteson, Midlothian, Mokena, Oak Forest and Tinley Park.

Swartzentruber, of Tinley Park, also is a part-time Tinley Park fireman.

The lawsuit, which was filed March 5, seeks financial restitution for the victims and also seeks to permanently bar Swartzentruber and Hanlon’s Windows and Siding, Inc from doing business in Illinois.

"As Spring approaches, I want to remind homeowners to do their homework before hiring a contractor to perform any work on their houses," Alvarez said. "Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Alvarez also reminded residents of a few precautions they can take to protect themselves from dishonest business operators:

-- Get at least three different quotes for any repair or remodeling work.

-- Ask for references and check them out.

-- Check the company’s rating on the Better Business Bureau website: www.bbb.org.

-- Check the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s website, www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org, to see if the contractor has ever been sued.

-- Read the pamphlet, "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights," before hiring a home repair contractor. All home repair contractors are required by law to provide this pamphlet before asking a homeowner to sign any contract over $500.

Cook County residents who have complaints about fraudulent home repair contractors are urged to call the State’s Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at (312) 603-8700.