THE ISSUE
Lamar Advertising is suing Cook County because its plan to erect billboards in Lemont was rejected.

OUR VIEW
Our town’s landscape must be preserved. Just like two years ago, residents and civic leaders must band together to defeat it.

SPEAK UP
Should the town accept the billboards or fight the lawsuit? Tell us what you think of this by leaving a comment below. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a voice message at (630) 368-8882.

Lemont residents have plenty of reasons to oppose the installation of digital billboards near the Veterans Memorial Tollway bridge along Interstate 355.

The bridge, particularly when it’s lit up at night, enhances the Lemont landscape. Motorists crossing the bridge have a great view of the town’s natural beauty, and some believe that adding billboards would detract from it.

The bridge has been dedicated to local veterans. Some residents don’t want billboards diminishing this tribute to people who have served our country.

Yet, officials with Lamar Advertising have restarted a fight they began two years ago when they tried to locate digital billboards next to the bridge where it crosses the Des Plaines River. The company has filed a lawsuit against Cook County because the County Board rejected its proposal to erect two billboards.

Residents joined community leaders in opposing the plan, which led to the County Board rejecting it. They’re adamantly against placing any billboards in town, but Lamar Advertising is trying to force the town into accepting them.

Given the level of opposition that Lamar Advertising experienced last time, it’s hard to understand why it insists on pursuing this lawsuit. Perhaps the company believes it may have a better chance with a judge than with the County Board.

Residents waged a courageous battle against this intrusion two years ago, and we had better be prepared to do the same this time. Lamar Advertising appears as if it’s prepared for a lengthy legal fight, and there’s no telling how that would end.

It could be very costly, because the case may take a few years to wind its way through the court system. Any decision would affect the entire county, so the board may eventually want to settle.
The time and money for fighting this are worth it. The best chance we have to win is to show we’re just as determined as Lamar Advertising.