Court: Aurora Planned Parenthood zoning case wrongly dismissed

An Illinois appellate court says a lower court made a mistake when it dismissed a lawsuit challenging the opening of a suburban Chicago Planned Parenthood facility.

The 2nd District Appellate Court's ruling Friday sends the case back to DuPage County Circuit Court for reconsideration of whether the Planned Parenthood clinic violates zoning law in Aurora.

But the appeals court says questions of whether Planned Parenthood misled city officials are irrelevant.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of local residents by the Thomas More Society, a not-for-profit law firm focused on anti-abortion and religious causes. The organization says the ruling is a victory.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois issued a statement Tuesday saying it is pleased the court limited the case to a "very narrow and administrative issue concerning zoning interpretation."