News: Chicago Tribune Quotes Ronald Cope on Zoning Codes

Land Use, Zoning and Eminent Domain Practice Chair and Government Partner Ronald S. Cope was quoted July 3 in the Chicago Tribune regarding a recently approved zoning change in La Grange, Illinois that is meant to prevent the opening of a pawnshop in the village's downtown. 

Mr. Cope had the following comments on the city's situation, according to the Tribune:

Zoning code expert Ronald Cope, author of the 2008 edition of the "Zoning Handbook for Municipal Officials," said the village can't deny issuing a business license to [the shop operator] now or even next year solely because of the zoning code changes.

"It would be considered a lawful non-conforming use because it existed prior to zoning code revision," Cope said.

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