Hindu Community Sues Elgin to Overturn 59-Year-Old Decree Blocking Temple

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, argues the 1967 decree violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which protects religious institutions from discriminatory zoning laws. The Hindu organization, which has owned the 14-acre property on the city's east side since 2019, says the restriction was enacted specifically to block a temple at that location.

The proposed development includes a 25,000-square-foot temple, a community center, and 36 townhouses. The group's attorney, who specializes in religious land use cases, stated that the city's refusal to lift the zoning restriction has forced the community to hold services in temporary spaces for years.

Elgin city officials have not yet filed a response in court. The city's corporation counsel said the zoning ordinance is longstanding and that the city is reviewing the lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for next month.

The lawsuit seeks a court order invalidating the 1967 decree and allowing the temple construction to proceed. The Hindu community, which has about 2,000 families in the area, has been raising funds for the project, estimated to cost $15 million.

This legal action is part of a broader pattern of Hindu groups challenging zoning restrictions across the United States, often citing religious discrimination. Similar cases have been filed in New Jersey, California, and Texas in recent years.