This is the story of a little billboard in the humble Midwestern town of Chicago. It all started back in 1961 when Bernard Heerey purchased a building in the Gold Coast. Four-stories tall and overlooking the bright and energetic intersection of State and Rush, it saw many many people go by. When the neighboring buildings were torn down, Mr. Heerey saw a chance. This new expanse of bare brick wall was perfectly suited for advertising. Mr. Heerey rented out this space and then helped the billboard shine. He added more lights and expanded its size.

The only problem with this plan was that it required permits and more permits. None of the permits were obtained for the billboard, but it didn’t matter. Not until 1986, when the city finally noticed and ordered it be taken down. The billboard has been involved in legal struggles for over twenty years now, from administrative hearings, the Illinois Supreme Court, a federal trial, and finally through two rounds in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, where even a recent defeat didn’t deter Mr. Heerey’s representatives from carrying on the fight. Even though Mr. Heerey is no longer with us—he passed away in 1999—his billboard lives on and on.

Read the entire article in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Article Tags: Advertising | bernard heerey | billboard | chicago | city | legal issues
Filed under: Advertising, Dorian Anderson