Illinois County Sign Ordinance Challenged

In McHenry County, Illinois, state Rep. Jack Franks has filed a motion in state court to dismiss a citation against his law firm and declare the county's sign ordinance unconstitutional. Suburban Chicago's Daily Herald reported yesterday that Franks' firm has been charged with failing to obtain a special permit for the sign over the firm's office door quoting a Biblical verse: "Justice, Justice, Shalt Thou Pursue". The county says that because of the sign's size, the special permit is needed. Franks argues that the ordinance is vague, places too much discretion in the hands of county inspectors, and infringes his right of religious speech.