Do you have any contract or other paper signed by you that implicitly states "earnest deposit money is non-refundable"?
Most earnest money is held by real estate brokers. Whenever a licensed real estate firm or agent holds any earnest money, it must be deposited in a trust or escrow account until closing.
Please verify if your purchase contracts do not have a rescission (“cooling off”) period. The 19.3 paragraph from the contract doesn't give the right to hold earnest money.
According to the terms of the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract and the rules governing real estate brokers, if there is a dispute between buyer and the seller over an earnest money deposit, the broker must continue to hold the funds in trust until the dispute is resolved in writing or until a court decides the matter. For disputes less than $5000 you may bring the case in Small Claims Court - http://www.co.clark.nv.us/justicecourt_lv/smallclaim.htm
M&oney-Tax,Investment,Collectibles
Three years with HRB
The Section 19.3 that you cited above is talking about the seller's right to terminate the agreement. I am not sure what is the Section 19.1 about. Unless it is stated that the deposit is non-refundable - it should be refunded to you.
You need to send certified (in case you haven't done this yet) letter to the Chicago Title Company asking to refund the deposit and inform them about disagreement with the seller without any details. Mention in the letter all times you contacted previously with names of officers. This would cost you nothing but give a ground for the claim.
I feel as you may bring the case into the court and have the Chicago Title Company to be responsible. You had better to have a local lawyer, but be sure that lawyer’s fee wouldn't be more that the disputed amount. But as I mentioned above you are eligible for Small Claims Court which require small fee.