CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A group representing Italian-Americans in Chicago hopes to bring a Columbus statue back to the city. The group is going to court in an effort to make it happen.
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans is suing the Chicago Park District for taking down the Christopher Columbus statue in Arrigo Park.
The West Side statue was one of three removed last year after demonstrators tried to tear down a Columbus statue in Grant Park.
The lawsuit claims the Chicago Park District broke a nearly 50-year-old agreement with the Italian-American organization, by taking down the statue without the written consent of the Columbus Statue Committee.
Organization president Ron Onesti said the agreement states any alterations of the statue or plaza must have the written consent of the Columbus Statue Committee, a precursor to his organization.
“Removing the statue last year is a clear breach of our contract with the Park District,” Onesti said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Office said their removals were temporary and in response to demonstrations that had become unsafe for both protesters and the police.
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Plaintiff’s attorney Enrico Mirabelli said the organization tried to avoid taking the Park District to court, but the contract would have been nullified if they didn’t raise their legal grievances within a year. He added the Park District didn’t respond to a letter the organization delivered to the district’s board of commissioners.
“We never received a reply,” Mirabelli said. “We remain committed to finding a reasonable solution, but no governing body and no individual is above the law. When you make a contract you are expected to follow the terms of the agreement.”
The city’s Law Department declined to comment on a pending litigation and said it will review the lawsuit once received.
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