Muslim prayer center, residents collide near West Chicago
By Jake GriffinLeaders of the Islamic Center of Western Suburbs want to convert a house at 28W774 Army Trail Road near West Chicago into the organization’s prayer center and food pantry, but neighbors are fighting the plan.
Kevin Wiley has been waiting for Monday for two years.
That’s the day when DuPage County’s Zoning Board of Appeals opens a hearing into a proposal to convert a house at 28W774 Army Trail Road near West Chicago into the headquarters for the Islamic Center of Western Suburbs.
The leaders of the Muslim group want to turn the house they bought out of foreclosure into a prayer center and food pantry. Neighbors like Wiley want the group to stop using the house for anything other than a residence until the county decides whether to allow a different use.
“First it was the landscaping issues they did without the proper permits that changed the floodplain and caused my basement to flood twice,” Wiley said. “The thing that bothers us the most is the constant rotation of different people coming and going every day.”
This is the third time the issue has been in front of the county’s zoning board. The Islamic Center’s new attorney, Kevin Gallaher, said he is aware of the history surrounding the proposal and is hopeful a resolution satisfactory to all sides can be reached.
“There’s been some miscommunication along the way on the part of all parties,” Gallaher said. “All sides need to come to an understanding as to what the ultimate use of the property will be.”
Islamic Center leaders are seeking a “conditional use” permit that will allow them to operate the property as a religious facility. They also are asking for more parking.
“They’re trying to convert a residential property into something it wasn’t intended to be,” said neighbor Ron Cwik.
Adding to the controversy is a private driveway the Islamic Center shares with Ray and Jackie Sitkiewicz. The couple told the county board last month that many times they’ve found themselves either unable to enter or leave their property because cars of people worshipping at the house five times a day block the drive.
In January, the county cited the Islamic Center’s leaders for zoning violations related to parking and non-permitted uses of the property. The state’s attorney’s office is seeking more than $25,000 in fines it claims the center has racked up since the beginning of the year for failing to comply with the county’s orders. But the case was once again held over for another month last week to see what comes out of Monday’s meeting, Gallaher said.
Compounding the confusion is the state department of revenue’s decision last year to grant a complete property tax exemption for the parcel. That amounts to more than $8,600 off the tax rolls, Wayne Township Assessor Michael Musson said.
Sue Hofer, a spokeswoman for the department, said the decision was based on a recommendation from the county’s board of review.
“We have no way of determining local land use,” she said. “Our job is to determine whether the use of the property is consistent with the law.”
Hofer said the Islamic Center’s paperwork was complete and included federal nonprofit documentation.
DuPage Supervisor of Assessments Craig Dovel said that while his office does make a recommendation in conjunction with the board of review, the state is ultimately responsible for deciding whether to grant an exemption. Dovel and Board of Review Chairman Tony Bonavolonta said the county doesn’t check for zoning violations before making any recommendations.
“We don’t question a religious use,” Bonavolonta said. “We just forward that onto the department of revenue.”
However, Hofer said the state relies on county officials to make sure a property owner seeking a tax exemption is legitimate.
“They are our eyes and ears on the ground,” she said.
Wiley said none of the government agencies are looking out for the residents.
“See? That’s insane with the tax exemption,” he complained. “By them saying they are using the property for religious purposes, they are admitting to the zoning violations.”
The county has been dealing with church-related zoning issues for several years, but the county board rejected a measure that would have imposed significant limitations on locations more than a year ago. The county is being sued by another Muslim organization after a proposal to open a similar prayer center and food pantry near Naperville was rejected recently.
County board member Jim Zay said the issue of zoning for religious facilities in residential areas needs to be addressed.
“It’s not about the church, it’s about property rights,” he said. “People coming into a single-family area have the right to assume it’s going to remain a single-family area.”
No…this is not a repeat post of Muslims trying to do the same exact thing in Brooklyn NY. This time they are showing no respect to their neighbors in Chicago. Muslims are constantly demanding respect, yet they do not care about the wants and beliefs of non-Muslims. Islam is one-way street, and we should return the favor. Say no to Muslim immigration, and Mosque construction.
Hat tip to Dee.
✠ Allah’s murdering cult of Islam has a phobia about anything not Islamic. ✠
Islam ushers in the Anti- Christ.
The Islamic dilemma.
Muhammad is a moral problem.
David Wood, The Islamic dilemma.
A true warrior fights for those who cannot fight for themselves.
A really smart warrior finds ways to fight without fists or swords, but with words of truth.
David Wood and Logan are those people.
I’m just a Christian soldier. The watchman on the wall.
European governments must do everything they can to cease being “prey” to Muslims. This means they must discourage, or prevent altogether, Muslim immigration. Such measures could include putting a stop to all migration from Muslim lands, rounding up and deporting those Muslim migrants who are already in the West illegally, promptly deporting Muslims convicted of crimes at the conclusion of their sentences back to their countries of origin, and preventing migrants — overwhelmingly Muslims — from receiving any welfare benefits during the first five years of their presence in the land.
Rise From the Ashes—God Is Rebuilding What Was Broken. No matter how deep the pain or how impossible the situation may seem, God is able to restore what has been lost. As Isaiah 61:3 declares, He gives “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
I am Iranian. Islam is one of the worst things that can happen to a country. We are fighting against it with our blood and our lives to reach freedom. Don’t let this happen to your country too.
Islam really is the worst
A true warrior fights for those who cannot fight for themselves.
A really smart warrior finds ways to fight without fists or swords, but with words of truth.
Tommy Robinson is one of them also.
I’m not too smart than. I decided a long time ago that Islam needs to be wiped off the face of the planet.
What Muslims bring is hell on earth. I want to stop that by any means necessary.
Mahdi is the anti-Christ.
Rebel American
Getting Old Sucks is an original Dark Outlaw Country song about growing older, carrying life’s scars, and refusing to give up. With gritty vocals, soulful guitars, and a raw Southern atmosphere, this track captures the bittersweet reality of aging while celebrating resilience, hard-earned wisdom, and the strength to keep moving forward.
Muslim rape, Muslim robberies, Muslim murder. All the victims were Infidels, for Muslims “the vilest of created beings.” There is no end to this.
Of course. You can’t have people getting the idea that there might be some problem with Islam. The establishment media considers it its foremost responsibility to ensure that no one gets a negative view of Islam from crimes committed in its name and/or in accord with its teachings.
I used to call those Christians kissing Muhammad’s feet useful idiots. They’re worse than that. They’re a grave offence to God and His Son. Even the elect will be deceived
How long are we going to keep playing sheep in the presence of wolves?
I’m not like the old Templar Crusaders; I’m not searching for knowledge. I already have all the knowledge I need. I’m a modern Crusader. Praise Jesus. Deus Vult
This is what is important. Praise Jesus. Deus Vult
They came for the families. They came for the children. They came for the churches and the prayers and the quiet faith of ordinary people.
And they woke something they were not prepared for.
The remnant is not hiding. The remnant is not whispering. The remnant is marching — and they will not stop until every principality, every power, every ruler of darkness knows exactly who they are and whose Name they carry.
You wanted war with the children of the King.
Congratulations.
You have it.
Til all hell knows our names.
I found even more Crusader music I haven’t heard. The lord keeps making my day.
PUT ON THE ARMOR, the lord has made a soldier of me. Praise Jesus, Deus Vult
They call them a mix of songs. More of them keep popping up. I’ve already counted over 200 songs. They’re all wonderful Crusader songs,
The Lion has roared. Praise Jesus, Deus Vult
Silent Crusade: More Songs
I’ve been staying pretty busy. You know me I’m the Crusader Muhammad warned you about.
When fear rises, lies surround us, and the battle feels overwhelming, God calls us to stand firm—not in our own strength, but in the power of the Lord.
With the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and salvation guarding our minds, we do not have to run. The victory belongs to Jesus.
Take your stand
In the strength of the Lord
Lift the shield
Draw the sword
God Wills It: The Path of the Crusader.
Faith Reveals the Soul.
A really smart warrior finds ways to fight without fists or swords, but with words of truth. If that fails, I’m the backup. Deus Vult
With the revelation of every new detail, the tragic story of the murder of Elisabeth-Jane Ross at the hands of self-described jihadist Sharif Ahmadzai becomes more of a parable about the perils of mass Muslim migration and the willful ignorance of European (and American) officials regarding the nature and magnitude of the jihad threat.
Christians of the world are joining forces against the Islamic siege. Praise Jesus, Deus Vult
Truly unforgettable, glorious times of God’s warriors of Christ. Unforgettable music, singing, and visual scenery.
They want war with the children of the King.
I Kneel Only to Christ —the unbreakable vow of warriors who bowed to no throne, no crown, and no earthly power — only to Christ alone. Deus Vult
THE VEIL IS TORN, AND WE SEE ALL. The Battle for the heart and soul is now exposed.
Muhammad is a moral problem. I agree with that 100%
The ones hell can’t break. They came to watch us fall. They said the faithful wouldn’t last. They threw us in the furnace and gave us all their hate — but they never understood that fire is what we’re made of. Everything they throw to break us just gets forged into our name. So bring the hammer. Bring the flame. We’ve buried worse. We don’t bow, we don’t bend, we don’t break. And when that sky finally breaks open and the morning comes like fire — the Lion and the Lamb riding out with the dawn in His eyes — He’s going to look on the unbroken, call us each by name, and say: they threw their worst, and they couldn’t break you. You kept the faith. You kept the flame.
We have held through every loss, and the reason we’re still standing is the One who paid the cost.
The Veil and Flame: 20 More Crusader Songs.
A couple of the songs
The ones hell can’t break
Bought in blood, born to stand
Not while we stand
Time to stand and fight.
Built for the battle, born for the storm
The remnant wakes; hell trembles
It’s freaking awesome all this Christian music they’re putting out.
We were born of the ones who overcame.
When conviction has a cost.
When standing still becomes surrender.
This is not rage.
This is resolve.
Faith isn’t fragile.
It was forged for pressure.
No retreat.
No disguise.
No walking away.
Time to stand and fight.
We held the line. Now we are taking the ground.
Leftists are closely allied with Islamic jihadis and supremacists, despite the fact that a good deal of what the left celebrates most fervently would get them killed anywhere Sharia is enforced. Queers for Palestine, for example, would go sailing off the top of the nearest tall building if they ever dared actually to visit the place that is the object of their adoration
What is the difference between fighting Hitler, Stalin, Hirohito and fighting the Muslim and leftist movement. I see no difference – it is a WAR!!
The problem was the mistake of allowing Islam to have religious status.