Street Preacher Sues After Citation For Violating City Sign Law

In Naperville, Illinois, Street preacher Elmer "Joe" Christopherson filed suit Thursday challenging a ticket he received for violating a city ban on signs within ten feet of a roadway. On Sept. 2, Christopherson was preaching in downtown Naperville, carrying a 6x3 foot placard with a message about Jesus and redemption. After he had been preaching for three hours, and had earlier been heckled by onlookers, police told Christoperson and his group from Burning Hearts Outreach Ministries that they had to take down their sign. The lawsuit filed in DuPage County Court alleges that the citation against Christopherson violates his First Amendment free speech and free exercise rights. Yesterday's Christian NewsWire and today’s Chicago Tribune report on the case.