CHICAGO — City of Evanston and Northwestern University officials argued in court Wednesday against an organization opposed to Evanston’s vote to re-zone the new Ryan Field for commercial use, with the presiding judge deciding a ruling will come another day in the future.
A Cook County judge heard arguments for nearly two hours where attorneys for the City of Evanston and Northwestern argued to dismiss three out of four claims laid out in a lawsuit filed by Evanston residents and a non-profit organization called “The Most Livable City Association,’ or MLCA for short.
The lawsuit, filed last November, argues that Bliss and some council members disregarded city and state laws that should have required more votes by the council to allow events, like concerts, at the future stadium.
Specifically, the lawsuit was filed ten days after Evanston City Council members voted 5-4 — The tiebreaking “yes” vote coming from Evanston mayor Daniel Bliss — To approve commercial re-zoning for the new football stadium.
In the end, the judge presiding over the case decided to delay a ruling until Friday, and attorneys in court Wednesday said they would not comment on pending litigation.
