Landlord sues Idonije over restaurant rent

CHICAGO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A failed Chicago restaurant co-owned by Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije is being sued by its landlords over back rent, court documents say.

The lawsuit seeks $500,000 and was filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court against Idonije and head chef Alain Njike. The suit claims the pair signed personal guaranties and a five-year lease to rent downtown space for Alain's Restaurant.

The building owner received no rent payment on space for the restaurant, which opened in September 2011, prompting eviction proceedings in April, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday.