agent in Illinois won't return my earnest money, what to do??

[James Willson]

had a commercial property under contract in February, decided not to purchase within
due diligence time period, sent him a letter.
It's been more than 2 months and no response at all!
He is one of KW realty, listed as broker.

any ideas?

[Account Closed]

Real Estate “Agents” no longer exist in the State of Illinois. You must be licensed as either a “Broker” or “Managing Broker”.

Check the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation’s license look-up webpage to see if he is licensed as Broker or Managing Broker. Here is a link:
IDFPR License Look-up

If he is a Broker, than he must be sponsored by a Managing Broker. The IDFPR site gives you the name of his Managing Broker (aka “Sponsor”). The Managing Broker is responsible for holding earnest money deposits, so he or she is the one you need to contact.

The “Agent” classification was eliminated in Illinois last year. All real estate agents were required to take a Broker’s class & pass the Broker’s Exam or let their license expire. If this guy is still doing business with an expired Agent’s license, that is a whole different issue.