After two years in court a DuPage County judge ruled that a statue of Lady Justice can stay on the lawn of a west suburban couple’s home.
Curtis Kmiecek commissioned the statue two years ago as a gift for his wife, Dana Kurtz. It was carved out of a tree on the couple’s Blaine Street property. The village said the statue amounted to a sign for Kurtz's law office, which violates a local ordinance.
“We never thought it would be an issue,” Kurtz said.
The village sent the couple a letter saying the statue was in violation of a sign ordinance.
“They were citing up to $750 a day and so ultimately that could have been over $450,000,” Kurtz said.
Kmiecek said he feels relief after the judge’s ruling.
“Honestly I drive in every time, and I see her, and I think, boy, I wish this were over,” he said. “Now, I can drive in and not worry about it.”
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The village says it’s in the process of analyzing the court opinion to see if any further action can be taken.
“The complaints of the neighbors were real and valid and the village's response was made in good faith and in an effort to maintain the reasonable expectations of our residential neighborhoods," a spokesperson for the village of Hinsdale said.
If the couple had lost the case they could have faced roughly $450,000 in dover due fines.
"I think for the village of Hinsdale to pursue it this long, I don’t know who’s running things over, there but it’s a gorgeous piece of art," Kurtz said.
