City of Chicago v. Trotter

Citations

• 136 Ill. 430
• 26 N.E. 359

Syllabus

<p>1. Public parades and processions—ordinance restricting them— whether reasonable and proper. An ordinance of a city which provides that “no parades or processions shall be allowed upon the streets” until a permit therefor shall be obtained from the police department, under a certain prescribed penalty, and requires permits to.specify the route of such parades and processions to be followed upon the streets, is unreasonable, and void.</p> <p>2. Parades and processions upon the streets of a city are not necessarily so productive of danger and disorder as to render them per se the creators of public disturbances, nor are they necessarily nuisances. There is no authority in a city to suppress such demonstrations of all kinds, and under all circumstances.</p> <p>3. Citizens have the constitutional right to “pursue their own happiness,” and on suitable occasions and for lawful purposes, and in a peaceable manner, they may gather together in street parades and processions, if they so desire, provided they do not disturb or threaten the public peace, or substantially interfere with the rights of others.</p> <p>4. Municipal cokpobation—delegation of powers. A city council can not transfer its legislative powers, and the public trust imposed upon it, to a mere executive officer.</p>