Contractor C.A. Jones, Inc., is accused in a lawsuit of abandoning a half-constructed home in Chatham, Illinois last year, leaving a financial mess for the couple buying it.
At least 22 lawsuits have been filed, seeking more than $4.5 million in damages. The defendant used to be the metro-east's largest homebuilder for three decades.
Homeowners, as well as banks foreclosing on construction and renovation mortgages, are demanding payment for overdue supply bills and shoddy or unfinished work.
The defendant dropped out of professional associations and stopped posting on social media. Its office closed, the website is down, and the phone numbers don't work.
C.A. Jones hasn't filed for bankruptcy in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and it's still listed as "active" in the state's business entity database.
"All the banks (with outstanding loans to C.A. Jones) are in the same boat." About 30 home constructions were abandoned, unfinished, according to allegations.
Teri Maddox "Lawsuits piling up against metro-east contractor that vanished from market" www.bnd.com (Jun. 09, 2026).
Commentary
The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) has a code of ethics. The AIC has existed since 1971.
Strive to fulfill these ethical standards:
· "A Constructor shall have full regard to the public interest in fulfilling his or her responsibilities to the employer or client.
· A Constructor shall not engage in any deceptive practice, or in any practice which creates an unfair advantage for the Constructor or another.
· A Constructor shall not maliciously or recklessly injure or attempt to injure, whether directly or indirectly, the professional reputation of others.
· A Constructor shall ensure that when providing a service which includes advice, such advice shall be fair and unbiased.
· A Constructor shall not divulge to any person, firm, or company, information of a confidential nature acquired during the course of professional activities.
· A Constructor shall carry out responsibilities in accordance with current professional practice, so far as it lies within his or her power.
· A Constructor shall keep informed of new thought and development in the construction process appropriate to the type and level of his or her responsibilities and shall support research and the educational processes associated with the construction profession."
