# Chicago alderman to block Chick-fil-A expansion **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 26, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482 "2012-07-26T19:17:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/1 "2012-07-26T19:17:23Z")
[And the mayor of Boston is doing the same there.](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jF5mSDJzBZWuhJXzJSJBTw-q1DsA?docId=133781df384148829a448d050e8432e2) > [@](#): > > CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago alderman, angered by the president of Chick-fil-A’s comments that he is against gay marriage, said he will block the company from building a restaurant in his ward. > > Alderman Joe Moreno said Wednesday that unless the company comes up with a written anti-discrimination policy, Chick-fil-A will not open its first free-standing restaurant in the city as it plans to do. > > “They have nothing on the books that says they do not discriminate and they are open to everyone,” said Moreno, whose ward is on the northwest side. “I want to see that policy before they go forward.” > > On Wednesday, Moreno did not dispute that Cathy had the right to say what he said. But, Moreno said, “There are consequences for freedom of speech (and) in this case the consequences are… you’re not going to have your first free-standing restaurant in Chicago.” ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/2 "2012-07-26T19:33:49Z")
Same thing in Boston-Mayor “Mumbles” Menino wrote a letter to Cathy, condemning Cathy’s stance on gay marriage. Frankly, I think Cathy should sue Chicago and Boston-the firm hasn’t broken any laws. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/3 "2012-07-26T19:35:37Z")
I fucking hate bigots, but I do not like this at all. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/4 "2012-07-26T19:36:16Z")
Not a huge fan of CfA, but this seems unconstitutional to me. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/5 "2012-07-26T19:40:32Z")
It does sound like the government is suppressing free speech here. As much as I disagree with Mr. Cathy’s position on the matter, it is entirely out of the government’s hands what he says. The populace can, of course, boycott the store once it is opened. They can put up billboards denouncing Mr. Cathy’s statements. Unless it can be shown that Chik-fil-A is discriminatory in its hiring practices or its treatment of its customers, I don’t see how this can be justified. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/6 "2012-07-26T19:49:24Z")
Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. > [@](#): > > “The government can regulate discrimination in employment or against customers, but what the government cannot do is to punish someone for their words,” said Adam Schwartz, senior attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. “When an alderman refuses to allow a business to open because its owner has expressed a viewpoint the government disagrees with, the government is practicing viewpoint discrimination.” Read more: [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/26/politician-plan-to-block-chick-fil-is-unconstitutional-legal-experts-say/#ixzz21lAd42Vq](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/26/politician-plan-to-block-chick-fil-is-unconstitutional-legal-experts-say/#ixzz21lAd42Vq) ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/7 "2012-07-26T19:56:04Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. Oof. That takes a lot of fun out of the morally superior attitude I had been so carefully cultivating in this matter. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/8 "2012-07-26T19:57:43Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. Fuckin’ Politically Correct liberals. Always trying to put Christians down with their war on family values. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/9 "2012-07-26T21:54:27Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Same thing in Boston-Mayor “Mumbles” Menino wrote a letter to Cathy, condemning Cathy’s stance on gay marriage. > Frankly, I think Cathy should sue Chicago and Boston-the firm hasn’t broken any laws. Precisely! I can see why people who disagree with Cathy would applaud this but this is not what Aldermen and Mayors are supposed to do. How would you write legislation to discriminate against discrimination? As a privately held company CfA has just as much right to publicly oppose gay marriage as I have to never go there again. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/10 "2012-07-26T22:00:55Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. > > Read more: [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/26/politician-plan-to-block-chick-fil-is-unconstitutional-legal-experts-say/#ixzz21lAd42Vq](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/26/politician-plan-to-block-chick-fil-is-unconstitutional-legal-experts-say/#ixzz21lAd42Vq) One reason I love ACLU. They really do work to protect civil liberties. Even when it’s not popular. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/11 "2012-07-27T00:49:20Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > I can see why people who disagree with Cathy would applaud this but this is not what Aldermen and Mayors are supposed to do. They aren’t supposed to showboat for political points? Since when? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/12 "2012-07-27T02:24:29Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I fucking hate bigots, but I do not like this at all. > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. > [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > One reason I love ACLU. They really do work to protect civil liberties. Even when it’s not popular. Yeah, I have to agree. This is bone headed. I will admit I appreciate the fact I have lived to see the day when elected leaders would take such a strong position in support of gay rights but this is a load of BS. I don’t like the thought police when they are with me any more than when they are against me. The real irony here is, the location CFL is planning to open in Chicago that is currently being blocked is in a super gay friendly, hipster neighborhood. I imagine they would have found themselves in a very hostile environment. The smart thing to do would be let them go ahead and open so we all have the fun of seeing them get boycotted and picketed out of business. The free market at work and all that, dontcha know… ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/13 "2012-07-27T05:34:13Z")
delete ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/14 "2012-07-27T13:14:26Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Apparently the ACLU has come down on the side of Chik-fil-A. Now that will leave a bad taste in your mouth right there. Also sounds like a way for Chicago to get sued. Even if Chicago doesn’t end up paying a settlement or fine or something how much money are they going to blow on lawyers for their side? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/15 "2012-07-27T13:47:18Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The real irony here is, the location CFL is planning to open in Chicago that is currently being blocked is in a super gay friendly, hipster neighborhood. I imagine they would have found themselves in a very hostile environment. The smart thing to do would be let them go ahead and open so we all have the fun of seeing them get boycotted and picketed out of business. The free market at work and all that, dontcha know… Out of curiosity, I wonder if A) they picked that spot before the statement was made and B)I see they are a chain (as opposed to a franchise) so I wonder if corporate drove through and picked a spot that looked good (as opposed to a Chicago native). If there aren’t pride flags hanging or if they drove through in winter and didn’t see hipsters walking around it might have just looked like a nice densely packed neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/16 "2012-07-27T13:57:06Z")
My understanding is that in order for the restaurant to open, the city council has to pass legislation allowing a change in the land use. ([Chicago Tribune](http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-25/news/ct-met-chicago-chick-fil-a-20120725_1_1st-ward-gay-marriage-ward-alderman): “Chick-fil-A already has obtained zoning for a restaurant in the 2500 block of North Elston Avenue, but it must seek council approval to divide the land so it can purchase an out lot near Home Depot, Moreno said.”) The alderman isn’t going to allow this law to be passed. So it’s not a matter of passing a law against the restaurant, but not passing a law that’s required for the restaurant to be built. Is there a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/17 "2012-07-27T14:25:12Z")
Politicians always have a hand in what businesses do or don’t get to open up in their city. They make those decisions to block or not block for a variety of reasons. Blocking a business they view as discriminatory is no less valid a reason than any, imo. What if the CEO had said things about believing in the sanctity of white folks only marrying white folks? Being very much supportive of the white race? Their businesses typically being led by whites? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/18 "2012-07-27T14:25:29Z")
Well, now that the politicians have gone on RECORD as saying Chik will be kept out because of the owners beliefs I would imagine some lawyers are gonna have fun with that even if they come up with “real” justifiable reasons why they don’t want it built there. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/19 "2012-07-27T14:34:51Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > delete I agree. Let’s delete CFA. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482/20 "2012-07-27T14:44:04Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Politicians always have a hand in what businesses do or don’t get to open up in their city. They make those decisions to block or not block for a variety of reasons. Blocking a business they view as discriminatory is no less valid a reason than any, imo. > What if the CEO had said things about believing in the sanctity of white folks only marrying white folks? Being very much supportive of the white race? Their businesses typically being led by whites? But discrimination against race is actually illegal. Holding the opinion that gay people shouldn’t be allowed to marry other people of their own gender isn’t. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-alderman-to-block-chick-fil-a-expansion/629482.md?page=2)