The city won another battle in its 10-year billboard war this week when a federal appeals court upheld its restrictions on outdoor advertising.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit backed the constitutionality of a city ordinance that regulates the size, location and height of billboards. Last October, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the ordinances were valid under state law.
Monday’s ruling is a blow not only for Scadron Outdoor Advertising, the plaintiff in the suit, but the billboard industry, which had argued that Illinois law preempts local regulations.
But the federal ruling doesn’t mean an end to Des Plaines’ billboard headaches. Two other billboard companies have challenged the city on various points of its ordinance.
According to Interim city attorney Mat Delort, city officials are waiting to see whether 3M/National Advertising Co. will appeal a recent Cook County Circuit Court ruling in favor of the city.
And the city is still working out the fine points of a recent settlement with Universal Outdoor Inc., which would allow the company to construct signs in the city.
“There may be a time when billboards will no longer be around,” said Des Plaines Mayor Michael Albrecht. “But in the meantime, I’m sure (the billboard companies) will be back for more.”