A U.S. district judge has thrown out the lawsuit from Chicago-area atheist Rob Sherman against the Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Alto Pass, Illinois.
Sherman alleged that a state grant to the cross was unconstitutional and violated the separation of church and state. The judge ruled that the state's economic development agency has discretion into how it passes out its money.
Newly appointed cross board president D.W. Presley says they are now waiting to see what Mr. Sherman's next move will be.
"The legal process will allow for Mr. Sherman, just like anybody else, to make an appeal. And we'll wait to see if he does that," Presley said.
Sherman says he does plan to take the case to a federal appellate court.
Presley will preside over the newly appointed cross board that was seated Tuesday night. They replace the outgoing court-appointed board that has overseen the cross for the last two years. Presley's grandfather was one of the founding members of the cross.
Presley says the board already has their first project planned out. "The Bald Knob Cross board of directors will continue to work to move the cross forward. Our first plan is to work on getting the funding for the purchase and installation of new lighting for the cross," Presley said.
Ross Wece, WSIU
Sherman alleged that a state grant to the cross was unconstitutional and violated the separation of church and state. The judge ruled that the state's economic development agency has discretion into how it passes out its money.
Newly appointed cross board president D.W. Presley says they are now waiting to see what Mr. Sherman's next move will be.
"The legal process will allow for Mr. Sherman, just like anybody else, to make an appeal. And we'll wait to see if he does that," Presley said.
Sherman says he does plan to take the case to a federal appellate court.
Presley will preside over the newly appointed cross board that was seated Tuesday night. They replace the outgoing court-appointed board that has overseen the cross for the last two years. Presley's grandfather was one of the founding members of the cross.
Presley says the board already has their first project planned out. "The Bald Knob Cross board of directors will continue to work to move the cross forward. Our first plan is to work on getting the funding for the purchase and installation of new lighting for the cross," Presley said.
Ross Wece, WSIU
