Lawsuit Challenges Downers Grove Park District’s Free-Speech Zone

A state representative candidate has filed a lawsuit against the Downers Grove Park District, alleging that her free speech rights were infringed upon during her campaign activities in a public park. Laura Hois claims that the district’s policy, which restricted her campaigning to a designated “free speech zone,” violated her rights under both the Civil Rights Act and the state constitution. The federal complaint was submitted on November 6, 2023.

Hois, who is running for the 81st State House District, was addressing attendees at a concert in Fishel Park on July 30, 2024, when she was informed by a park district employee that she needed to limit her campaigning to a 15-by-15-foot area. The lawsuit contends that this restriction amounted to an unlawful limitation on her freedom of expression, as individuals engaged in other conversations throughout the park were not subject to similar constraints.

The complaint asserts that the designated area for political speech was both “small” and “remote,” significantly hindering her ability to connect with constituents. According to Hois, the location of the zone in the rear southwest corner of the park, far from its main attraction—a band shell located on the eastern edge—meant that few people passed by. In an affidavit included with the lawsuit, she stated, “Seeing the flow of pedestrian traffic, it was obvious to me that this would have practically the same effect as excluding me from the park altogether.”

As of late Tuesday afternoon, the Downers Grove Park District had not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. Hois opted not to discuss the legal action, indicating that she preferred to consult with her attorney before making any statements.

The park board had adjusted the rules governing political activities within the park in June, but Hois’s lawsuit argues that such restrictions are illegal if they target speech based on its content. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages for the emotional distress caused by the enforcement of these rules, in addition to attorneys’ fees and costs.

Hois is currently running unopposed in the upcoming March Republican primary. She is set to challenge incumbent state representative Anne Stava, a Democrat from Naperville, in the November 2026 election. The 81st District encompasses areas of Downers Grove, Woodridge, Lisle, and Naperville, making it a significant electoral battleground.

This legal challenge highlights ongoing debates surrounding free speech rights in public spaces, particularly as they pertain to political campaigning. As the case develops, it will likely draw attention to the balance between maintaining order in public parks and safeguarding constitutional rights.