The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has issued a statement upon receiving notice that the Village of Slinger has withdrawn enforcement of its unconstitutional sign ordinances. WILL warned the Village last week that it was preparing to take legal action if the Village did not confirm that these ordinances would not be enforced.
The photo above belongs to our client, a resident of the village.
The Quotes: WILL Associate Counsel, Nathalie Burmeister, stated, “The Village’s decision today is a victory for free speech. The Village should continue doing the right thing and remove the unconstitutional ordinances from its municipal code as soon as possible.”
Additional Background: On February 12, 2025, the Village of Slinger sent a letter to Dwight Mueller, a Village resident, regarding a flag displayed on his private property. This letter states that “flags displaying [] political messages or content are in violation” of Village Ordinances §§ 550-57A(7), (10) and B(1). It is WILL’s understanding that other Village residents have received similar letters.
WILL’s February 25, 2025, letter to the Village stated that because these ordinances are content-based restrictions on speech, they are unconstitutional and unenforceable.
The Village’s response, dated March 3, 2025, states that “upon further consideration, the Village is rescinding the notices of violation issued by the Village Building Inspector dated on or about February 12, 2025.”
WILL’s Recent First Amendment Win: In 2023, WILL represented homeowners against the City of Neenah to defend against the City’s enforcement of its unconstitutional sign ordinance. WILL secured an injunction and the city was forced to change its ordinance.
Read more:
- Our Letter, February 2025
- Village’s Response to WILL, March 2025
NATHALIE BURMEISTER
Associate Counsel