1975 Chicago Bulls Issue
Among the many sport organizations that applied for use of the U2 facilites two that were notable since they led to court cases (besides the tennis cases); in 1975 the Chicago Bulls and in 1976 the Chicago Sting. In these two instances, again, the City refused to grant NU the ability to host the teams. These court cases dealt also with the underlying issue of the constitutionality of the ordinance and the issue of subpoenas.
Among the many sport organizations that applied for use of the U2 facilites two that were notable since they led to court cases (besides the tennis cases); in 1975 the Chicago Bulls and in 1976 the Chicago Sting. In these two instances, again, the City refused to grant NU the ability to host the teams. These court cases dealt also with the underlying issue of the constitutionality of the ordinance and the issue of subpoenas.
NU wanted to host the Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks at McGaw Hall on October 18, 1975.
NU wanted to host the Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks at McGaw Hall on October 18, 1975.
On September 16, 1975 Julian Jacobson, an Evanston resident, appealed to Robert H. Strotz, President of Northwestern University. His letter contained a poignant sentence that was quoted in one of the city meetings.
On September 16, 1975 Julian Jacobson, an Evanston resident, appealed to Robert H. Strotz, President of Northwestern University. His letter contained a poignant sentence that was quoted in one of the city meetings.
"What is good for Evanston must be good for the University -and in my further opinion- what is good for Northwestern University is not ipso facto good for Evanston."
The city refused NU's request. A lawsuit ensued in Circuit Court, Case 75 L 16487]
The city refused NU's request. A lawsuit ensued in Circuit Court, Case 75 L 16487]
On December 8, 1975 the Court dismissed NU's attempt to hold the Evanston ordinance unconstitutional.
On December 8, 1975 the Court dismissed NU's attempt to hold the Evanston ordinance unconstitutional.
Three documents from the court case are shown below:
- Memorandum in opposition to motion for judgement on the pleadings - September or October 1975
- Answer to motion for judgement on the pleadings - November 1975
- Memorandum in support of motion for judgement on the pleadings - filed December 1, 1975
good 1975 memo opposit. circuit court bulls.pdfgood 1975 nov answer to motion circuit court bulls.pdfgood 1975 dec 1 memo support circuit ct.pdfOn September 23, 1977, the Appellate Court (55Ill. App. 3d 609) reversed the Circuit Court, finding that in light of the history of dispute over the ordinance, Northwestern "has fully exhausted its remedies before the Evanston zoning authorities and ***further endeavor before these bodies as futile." (55Ill. App.3d 609,618).
On September 23, 1977, the Appellate Court (55Ill. App. 3d 609) reversed the Circuit Court, finding that in light of the history of dispute over the ordinance, Northwestern "has fully exhausted its remedies before the Evanston zoning authorities and ***further endeavor before these bodies as futile." (55Ill. App.3d 609,618).