Near Chicago, A Zoning Change Inflames Religious Tension

A zoning proposal in DuPage County would ban construction of 'meeting places,' including religious institutions, in unincorporated residential areas. The County says it's a question of infrastructure. Muslim leaders wonder if it's Islamophobia.

1 minute read

October 14, 2010, 8:00 AM PDT

By Lynn Vande Stouwe


Three separate mosque projects, planned to serve DuPage County's growing Muslim population, have been delayed by land use authorities, who say the project sites lack adequate water, sewage, parking and traffic infrastructure. Now, the County Board is considering a new ordinance that would effectively ban new construction of mosques and other houses of worship in residential areas while also making it easier for congregations to build in commercial and industrial areas, which officials say have greater capacity for growth.

Muslim leaders across the state say they face increasing resistance to new mosques, especially in light of national controversies like the Park51 project in New York City. However, DuPage County church leaders say that they too have recently experienced difficulties getting approval for new building projects. County leaders deny charges of discrimination.

Youseff writes:

'Proponents say the rules would be even-handed, but others suspect the restrictions target Muslims at a time when they're building more mosques there. And for many, that question has become a major undercurrent of the zoning debate: is it really about land use or is it about discrimination?'

Thursday, October 7, 2010 in WBEZ 91.5

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

People walking up and down stairs in New York City subway station.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving

Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

April 18 - Scientific American

White public transit bus with bike on front bike rack in Nashville, Tennessee.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan

Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

April 18 - Bloomberg CityLab

An engineer controlling a quality of water ,aerated activated sludge tank at a waste water treatment plant.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding

The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.

April 18 - Smart Cities Dive