Billboards facing roadblocks // Signs under siege on 3 fronts: state court, feds, citizen group

The billboards loom into view, like huge and gaudy salesmen whostand by the side of the road and shout, "Yo, there! Hey! Wanna buya car? How about cigarettes? Beer?"

They are exceptionally wide, like the actor John Candy. And alittle overbearing, like Candy. But friendly, too, like Candy.

They line expressways and major highways throughout the Chicagoarea, especially along Interstate 294 near Northlake and Bensenville.They are beginning to sprout also in the yellow farmfields on theoutskirts of town.

Billboards serve a purpose. They tell people stuff, like whatto buy, where to buy it and how to get there. They can be divertingand amusing. But lots of …