La Grange Subway Sign Trial Still Inching Forward

At a meeting last Monday, the La Grange City Council met in a closed-door executive session to consult with City Attorney Angela Beck about the lawsuit filed against the City by Tom Hudson and Jator, Inc., the owner of La Grange Subway.

Hudson is suing the City over his years-long battle to legally use an electronic sign at his business. The City has cited Hudson several times starting in 2016 for using the sign. He has asked for a variance to the sign ordinance, but the City has not granted him one. Hudson argues that the City’s sign ordinance was not legally enacted, that the ordinance is too vague, that the ban on electronic signs violates his freedom of speech and that the City selectively enforces the ordinance.

Council did not take any action nor did they discuss the lawsuit following the executive session.

A trial date was set for October, but District Judge Jeff Steinhauser postponed it to sometime in 2021 due to COVID-19. The Bojorquez Law Firm is representing the City in the lawsuit. Attorney Erin Higgenbotham of the Bojorquez Law Firm notified the court on Sept. 16 that the City would file a motion for no evidence summary judgement on or after Oct. 14 unless the court orders an oral hearing. That was the last action listed in the case file at the courthouse.