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Zoning Challenge Filed By Illinois Jewish Day School

By Howard M. Friedman

According to today's Evanston (IL) Review, an Orthodox Jewish organization filed suit in state court yesterday challenging the city of Evanston's denial of a special use permit to allow use of a former warehouse building as a Jewish day school. The group, Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov-Tiferes Tzvi, is challenging zoning regulations that allow "religious institutions and religious membership organizations" in the area, but exclude "religious educational institutions." The city, in denying the permit, expressed concerned about loss of property taxes. The complaint in the lawsuit alleges the zoning denial was arbitrary and unreasonable and that it violates the group's constitutionally protected speech and free exercise rights.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 12, 2009 (boomark / email).