Let's All Eat Cake_$80K Fine Against B and B Upheld

 

 

An Illinois appellate court has upheld a decision to dismiss a bed-and-breakfast's appeal of $80,000 in penalties imposed by the state's Human Rights Commission for turning away a same-sex couple.

The Champaign News-Gazette reports the court entered an order Wednesday denying a motion filed on behalf of Jim Walder, co-owner the Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast in Paxton. 

The Human Rights Commission last year found Walder violated the civil rights of Todd and Mark Wathen by refusing to host their civil union ceremony in 2011. He then sent them a series of emails denouncing homosexuality as "wrong and unnatural."

Attorney Jason Craddock asked the appellate court to vacate its dismissal of the appeal, reinstate the case and reconsider a previously filed extension to file a brief.

The Wathens' attorneys noted the case's dismissal was based on "a series of failures to comply with deadlines and rules violations."

Craddock said he would continue to contest the decision.