Hispanic Congregation Sues Illinois City In Zoning Dispute

According to a Christian News Wire press release, a Hispanic congregation has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Burbank, Illinois in a dispute over its attempt to use a historic, but now-deteriorating, former restaurant building as a church. Rios de Agua Viva alleges statutory as well as 1st and 14th Amendment violations, claiming that the city is maliciously attempting to change the zoning code to undercut the church's contractual arrangement to occupy the former Old Barn Restaurant. The church contends that the city is violating RLUIPA by requiring it to apply for a special use permit, but not imposing similar requirements on non-religious assembly uses.