Denied Mosque Rezoning Violated Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

The city of Des Plaines, Illinois has entered into a consent decree with the Justice Department to ensure it acts in accordance with the law regarding future zoning requests from religious institutions.

1 minute read

June 19, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By jwilliams @jwillia22


Mosque

Orhan Cam / Shutterstock

By denying the rezoning of a piece of land for use as a mosque, the city of Des Plaines, Illinois violated a Bosnian Muslim congregation's religious freedom, according to a civil rights lawsuit brought forward by the Federal Government. Manya Brachear Pashman of the Chicago Tribunereports that Des Plaines has entered into a consent decree with the Justice Department and is required to pay a fine of $580,000 for violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in denying the rezoning of land for the mosque, despite the recommendation for approval by the city's planning commission.

The consent decree, which remains in effect for three years, requires the city to post signs in City Hall stating that it does not discriminate based on religion or any other protected status. It mandates continuing education for staff and elected officials. And it instructs the city to share news of the settlement with any party that has been denied rezoning since Jan. 1, 2010.

For 180 days, the city also must post on the front page of its website a pledge to comply with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLIUPA), a federal law that prohibits unequal treatment of religious and nonreligious institutions, according to the settlement.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in Chicago Tribune

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business