Grand Sheik Lyonel Love EL and Assistant Grand Sheikess Moalt Love EL have filed a lawsuit alleging violations of constitutional, civil, and religious rights. The complaint was lodged on April 24, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against J.B. Pritzker, Alexi Giannoulias, Toni Preckwinkle, Monica Gordon, and Brandon Johnson.
The plaintiffs are Moorish Americans affiliated with the Moorish Science Temple of America (MSTA), a religious organization founded in 1913 by Prophet Noble Drew Ali. They claim that they have been systematically denied equal treatment in Cook County, specifically regarding access to legal documents and recognition of their religious status. An incident on July 21, 2016, is highlighted where Lyonel Love EL and Moalt D. Love EL were allegedly unlawfully removed from the Recorder of Deeds/Registrar of Torrens Titles Office while seeking information about a trust document. This removal is cited as an unlawful denial of access.
The complaint accuses the defendants of violating several laws including the First Amendment's guarantee of free exercise of religion and the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause. It alleges that the defendants have obstructed religious filings and failed to recognize legally established trusts associated with their faith. Additionally, it claims discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 due to intentional actions preventing them from exercising rights enjoyed by other religious groups.
The plaintiffs seek various forms of relief from the court: a declaratory judgment stating that their constitutional rights were violated; a permanent injunction against discriminatory practices; compensatory damages amounting to $25 million for economic and emotional harm; punitive damages; attorney’s fees; and any further relief deemed just by the court.
Representing themselves pro se are Grand Sheik Lyonel Love EL and Assistant Grand Sheikess Moalt Love EL. The case is presided over by Judge Franklin U. Valderrama with Magistrate Jeffrey Cole assisting. The case ID is 1:25-cv-04479.