A judge has again delayed the trial in the eviction of the Trump and Truth Store in Huntley, which came after the shop was cited by the village for several ordinance violations.
A status of attorney hearing and motion hearing were held on May 20 in front of McHenry County Judge Suzanne Mangiamele.
The judge allowed a motion to delay the trial to June 25. The trial was originally set for May 8 and later pushed to June 11.
The eviction case was filed against Lisa Fleischmann and her business, Trump and Truth Store, which is located at 10890 North Route 47 in Huntley.
The business sells apparel related to President Donald Trump. “The more you wear TRUMP the more people will come out of the fear and wear it too. It’s a great feeling knowing who all the great people are that surround you everyday,” the store’s website previously said.
Fleischmann said she is being evicted for displaying Trump signs, flags, table chairs, a Trump inflatable and a sign on her trailer outside the store.
She said the situation is political and feels “more like bullying” from the village involving “threats and intimidation.”
Court records show the owner of the building, Ricky Lynfield Inc., filed on March 18 to evict Fleischmann from the property.
A complaint filed in the eviction said that the company and Fleischmann entered into a lease on January 2, 2024, that was set to expire on December 31, 2026.
A clause in the lease agreement titled “Compliance With Regulations” said that the tenant shall comply with all “laws, ordinances, requirements and regulations of the federal, state, county, municipal and other authorities, and the fire insurance underwriters.”
The agreement says that the tenant shall be found in default of the lease if the tenant fails to fulfill any lease obligation.
The complaint said that Fleischmann has refused to keep her merchandise inside her store despite numerous requests by the landlord and the Village of Huntley.
“Instead, she displays many items on the public sidewalk and outside of the building along the street,” the complaint said.
Fleischmann and the landlord have both been charged by the Village of Huntley with several ordinance violations in relation to the displays.
Court records show they were each charged with three building code violations and one sign ordinance violation on January 10.
The ordinance complaints say an inflatable figure, a flag installed on the sidewalk, a flag installed on a building column and “Trump and Truth Store” signs and flags installed within the public right-of-way violated Huntley Code of Ordinances.
The complaints say the store did not have the required permits for the display.
The building owner said they provided Fleischmann with a 10-day notice to terminate tenancy for breach of the lease on January 20 and they also went to the store and spoke with Fleischmann asking her to comply with the village’s ordinances.
The complaint said that Fleischmann continues to violate the village ordinances by displaying her merchandise on the public sidewalk and right of way in “direct violation of the village’s ordinances.”
The eviction complaint seeks a McHenry County judge to enter an order of judgment for possession of the premises and to order Fleischmann to pay costs relating to the lawsuit.
The complaint also seeks a judge to order Fleischmann to pay $2,000 plus rent until the date of turnover.
The Trump and Truth Store has been hotly contested on social media, with some residents defending the store and others being against the store.
One user on social media questioned the business for offering to sell swastika shirts.
“The swastika as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune is widely distributed throughout the ancient and modern world. I would definitely make a shirt for you,” the store said in response to a Facebook commenter who asked if the store had “any swastika shirts like Kanye had.”
Fleischmann said last month that she filed a motion in the case to continue the trial in order to give her time to find legal representation, which led to the original delay.
Fleischmann says she has since retained an attorney, David Shestokas, who offered his services pro bono.
“My community appreciates my store, and the recent infringement on free speech has made many aware of the issues at play; they never thought their village would act this way,” she said.
Fleischmann said she does not blame the landlord for the situation.
At the most recent court hearing, the judge delayed the trial again due to the plaintiff, Ricky Lynfield Inc., seeking an extension.
A motion filed said the plaintiff would be on a previously scheduled trip, which would make him unavailable from June 7 to June 15.
The ordinance violation case against Fleischmann also remains pending and is set for a jury trial on September 15.