City of Chicago v. Abdullah

Following a bench trial in the circuit court of cook county, the defendant, Hassan Abdullah, was convicted of the “improper display of a Chicago flag insignia” in violation of section 173 — 9 of the Municipal Code of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois, Municipal Code 1977, ch. 173, §173 — 9) and was fined $25. On appeal the defendant contends that the municipal ordinance under which he was convicted is unconstitutionally vague. We reverse.

The only evidence adduced at the trial was the testimony of Officer James Herman, a Chicago police officer, Lieutenant Walter Duffy, commanding officer of the…