The Vandalia City council rescinded an ordinance at Monday night’s meeting—possibly staying one step ahead of any legal action on the matter. Back in June, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that amended the municipal code to state “No person shall beg or solicit alms within the city limits except when acting as a representative of a recognized charitable organization per 65 ILCS Sec. 5/11-5-4.” The ordinance was approved at the June 1st meeting. But, Ward two Alderwoman Dorothy Crawford brought the matter back up to re-consider at the next meeting—but the ordinance did stand. But, now it’s gone. Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman attached information about a federal court ruling on August 7th that deemed the ordinance and those like it unconstitutional—in the court case of Don Norton and Karren Otterson v. City of Springfield in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Mayor Gottman then received a letter on August 20th from the American Civil Liberties Union entering their objections to the ordinance and they cited a different court case ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court. Mayor Gottman said he did not want to wait for the ACLU to bring a lawsuit but instead rescind the ordinance. The council approved to rescind it unanimously.