A businessman has filed suit against Calumet City, claiming officials violated the law in the way they denied his permit request to build a new gas station and convenience store.
Plaintiff Mohammed Abdallah filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court on Nov. 17.
Abdallah alleges that despite meeting all requirements and receiving no objections from city staff or the public, his application for a special use permit and rezoning was denied. According to the lawsuit, he said he had proposed to transform an abandoned property into a new business to boost local economic development.
The businessman allegedly worked with Donald Aleksy, Calumet City’s Director of Economic Development, on his application. At a Calumet City Zoning Board of Appeals hearing in August, testimony indicated that the project would offer competitive gas prices and have EV chargers for electric vehicles, while creating job opportunities.
The ZBA found that the special use request complied with all regulations and would not interfere with property values or cause traffic congestion. The Calumet City Council allegedly initially backed the findings of the ZBA. However, following a closed session, the Council allegedly voted to reconsider that decision, and then chose not to vote again on the permit request, effectively denying the permit.
Abdallah is represented by attorney Daniel C. Shapiro, of Shapiro & Associates Law, of Northbrook.