Scott Boothe claims that the enforcement of this ordinance jeopardizes his livelihood by restricting his ability to generate income from short-term rentals via Airbnb. He asserts that this restriction causes undue economic hardship and deprives him of substantial rental income.
On April 9, 2024, Boothe received an email from Lila Franklin, Planning Technician at the Village of Northfield, instructing him to cease short-term rentals immediately or face citation.
Mr. Boothe contends that the ordinance imposes unreasonable restrictions without due process and violates the Equal Protection Clause by treating property owners engaged in short-term rentals differently without justification.
Prior to filing the complaint, the plaintiff attempted to resolve the issue with city representatives but was unsuccessful.
Mr. Boothe has filed a lawsuit against the City of Northfield, Illinois, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, under case ID 1:24-cv-04011. The case, presided over by Judge John Robert Blakey and Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim, was filed on May 15, 2024. Boothe is challenging an ordinance that prohibits short-term rentals within city limits, alleging it infringes upon his Fifth Amendment property rights.
In his lawsuit, the plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment declaring the ordinance unconstitutional and in violation of his Fifth Amendment rights. He also requests injunctive relief to allow him to continue short-term rentals pending court ruling and monetary damages including compensatory and punitive damages along with attorney's fees.