Ruling Requiring Change of Use Permit For Meditation Center Upheld By Court

In  MAUM Meditation House of Truth v. Lake County, Illinois, (ND IL, July 16, 2014), an Illinois federal district court dismissed free exercise, free speech, equal protection and due process challenges to a decision by zoning authorities that a "change of use" permit is necessary to use a residence also as a meditation center. The court held first that plaintiffs must exhaust administrative remedies by seeking court review of a zoning board of appeals decision. In addition, the court concluded that plaintiffs cannot succeed on any of their substantive challenges.