CHICAGO (CN) - The Seventh Circuit rejected a zoning ordinance in Washington Park, Ill., that bans alcohol in newly established strip clubs, saying the regulation was the resurrection of an earlier ordinance it struck down as unconstitutional. See ruling.
The circuit previously ruled that the village's restriction on the number of strip clubs was "most likely" unconstitutional because it appeared to be "predominantly motivated by concerns about revenue and/or political patronage."
The village repealed the restriction and replaced it in April 2005 with an ordinance lifting the numerical limit, but barring alcohol in strip clubs, except those licensed under prior ordinances.
Judge Kanne struck down the new rule as having been passed for the "same impermissible purpose" as the first ordinance.
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