Chicago Park District to loan Columbus statue to Italian American group for museum, end lawsuit
The City of Chicago, which owns the statues, will not be bringing the statues back to their former sites in Grant Park and Arrigo Park. But the city will loan the statue that was removed from Arrigo Park, at Polk and Loomis streets in Little Italy, to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.
The statue will be displayed inside a building in Chicago that the joint civic committee is redeveloping to be a museum. The museum is set to open in six months, Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans President Ron Onesti told CBS News Chicago.
Meanwhile, the Columbus statue that once stood in Grant Park will not be back. The plinth that had anchored the statue will be removed, and a new process will determine what piece of public art will replace it.
Rather than Columbus, an Italian American will be honored at Arrigo Park, according the Park District. Onesti said this statue would depict "a person of Italian descent such as Mother Cabrini."
"The Chicago Park District is committed to diversifying our statuary to ensure we are honoring Chicago's rich history and diversity," said Chicago Park District Genera Supt. and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said in a news release. "To that end, we look forward to convening the process to determine which Italian American will be honored at Arrigo Park, and which artworks will replace the Grant Park plinth. Throughout these processes, we will continue to engage Chicago's diverse communities."
Back in 2020, then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had the Grant Park and Arrigo Park Columbus statues — and one more in South Chicago — taken down. For all the time since, Italian American groups in the city had been fighting to put them back.
This came after a group of protesters clashed with police officers at the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park on July 17, 2020. Some of the protesters tried to wrap a rope around the statue and tear it down.
A week later, the Grant Park Columbus statue was removed, to the cheers of people who said monuments to Columbus are insults to Indigenous Americans. The Columbus statue in Arrigo Park, and another one that was part of a fountain at 92nd Street and Exchange Avenue, followed soon afterward.
In August 2022, a panel created by Mayor Lightfoot called the Chicago Monuments Project recommended that the three Columbus statues should be removed permanently — along with several other public monuments they deemed as "problematic" on the grounds that they honor white supremacy or disrespect Indigenous people. No other monuments have been removed in the years since.
The choices to find a new public artwork for the Grant Park space is in accordance with the Chicago Monuments Project recommendations, the Park District said.
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Chicago Tribune
13 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Planned band shell in Elmhurst creates debate over fear it will detract from Wilder Mansion
For more than 150 years, Elmhurst's Wilder Mansion on Cottage Hill Road has been a community hub — a home, a meeting space and 'a center of progress,' according to Lydia Wilder, whose family once owned the estate. When the mansion was acquired by the Elmhurst Park District in 1921, Wilder said the home became 'part of a larger community.' So much so that a photo of the mansion greets anyone trying to access the city's website. Wilder recently sat in the house her father, Erskine 'Sandy' Wilder, was born in, but instead of sitting in couches surrounded by family, she sat in a foldable chair amongst Park District commissioners and area residents. It is 'my job to preserve the legacy,' Wilder told the Park District board during a July 17 meeting at the mansion. 'I'm not in favor of what was already decided,' Wilder said. She was referring to changes at Wilder Park included in a wider plan connected to a successful referendum passed in November. Included in the referendum are district plans to replace the Wagner Community Center, construct year-round heated restrooms at multiple parks, convert a grass field into an artificial turf field at Barnes Park and construct a community band shell in Wilder Park. The work all is included in the $89,950,000 residents OK'd via referendum with 58% of the vote, according to Board President Kevin Graf. It's one of largest Illinois issued park district bonds, according to park Commissioner Vince Spaeth. Public comments at Elmhurst Park District meetings have spiked in the months since, but not about the Wagner Center replacement, which will use the bulk of the bond funding at $85 million. Rather, there has been vocal opposition about the placement of the planned permanent band shell. Many opponents of the current Park District plan, including Wilder, believe the placement as stated on informational material and presented at most meetings as 'future band shell location' would interfere with or potentially block views of the historic mansion. Although the mansion would not be physically altered as part of the plan, opponents believe the $2.5 million band shell's location would harm its iconic look. Dewberry Architects and Upland Design, firms hired to lead the district's master plan, analyzed nine potential locations for the band shell, presenting their findings to the board May 27. Both companies worked with the district on projects including Centennial and Gloss parks, as well as the Canine Corner. Officials from the firms said a placement of the band shell on the mansion's east lawn scored the highest on their metrics in 12 categories including topography, lawn area, existing trees and obstructed views. Andrea Hutchinson, who lives in an Elmhurst house that once belonged to her great aunt, has been a fan of the band shell concept since early discussions, but she wanted more input in the process. 'I was hoping to be a participant of where that would go,' she told the board at the July 17 meeting. Hutchinson and Jim Schultz, a 44-year Elmhurst resident who frequented the city's parks while raising his three kids, created a petition to gauge community reaction to the placement of the band shell. The results were presented at a board meeting July 28 by Sisie Puntel-Wilcek, who spoke on behalf of Hutchinson. 'As of today, (the petition)has 748 signatures — 547 online and 201 on paper. That's 748 residents asking the Park Board to seek public input specifically on the band shell location,' Puntel-Wilcek said. In a separate survey, Hutchinson and Schutz polled community location preference. With 251 responses, 47% said the former ice rink location was the most favorable. The Park District's planned location, which previously housed the park's moving showmobile, got 7%, according to Schutz. Both Hutchinson and Schutz called on commissioners to 'pause this process' and acknowledge community feedback. 'If this is truly the best location, why fear public input?' Hutchinson asked. Residents weren't the only people with concerns. Spaeth, a Park Board commissioner for 18 years, decried the board's lack of clear communication regarding location planning and said other potential sites for the band shell were 'never vetted.' Fellow commissioner Carolyn Ubraico, who has been on the board 22 years, indicated the May meeting was her first time seeing any additional possible locations. 'This (process) felt very different,' she said. Other Park District officials said the process is just getting underway, and both the design of the band shell as well as its location within the park have yet to be decided. Several design proposals have been circulated but none have been finalized, said James Rogers, the Park District's executive director. 'None of the images you see will be the band shell at Wilder Park,' he said in July. Graf, the board president, said messaging has consistently shown one location for the band shell because the site is an initial consideration when developing a design. 'A lot of people think (the location decision) is closed,' Graf said, but with an expected construction start date to begin in 2026, the project is 'still in its very earliest stage.' Ultimately, the approved design 'will work in any place in the park,' he said. Graf also defended the process, saying the board spent about three months engaging the community prior to the open houses. And, Rogers said, the engagement efforts remain underway. He said there will be three phases of board and public input. The first includes open houses as well as online and mail surveys. Continued discussions, and future surveys including location-specific questions are included in phase two, according to the July 28 meeting. 'The open house was one component of the first phase,' Rogers said at the July 28 meeting. He also reconfirmed there was currently 'no final decision' on the band shell's location. Before the May meeting, Dewberry and Upland were 'tasked with reexamining locations' in spring, causing the planning process to become 'deferred,' said Rogers. Rogers said analyses were shared with the board at the May 27 public meeting, as well as posted upon the board's minutes. Although there was 'not a formal vote,' at the May meeting, a 'majority' supported the east side location, he said. As opponents worry the new band shell's placement won't reflect a community-oriented process, Rogers said the board is 'involving the community much earlier than we normally do.' And the efforts to open up the location possibilities seem to be making a difference. Park District staff indicated a Wilder Park Band Shell Location Workshop would be planned Aug. 18, including a walking tour with Dewberry and Upland to revisit potential band shell locations, and where results of the residents' surveys would be reviewed. 'A breakthrough!' said lifelong Elmhurst resident Irene Dinning, a staunch opponent of the east side location, when receiving the news. Although the band shell development is still in its 'infancy phases,' no permanent decisions are made until a final vote on the master plan project, which date is not yet determined, according to Rogers, the executive director. 'Until (the board) approves that master plan, things can change,' said Rogers. The project is an 'evolving process,' he said. For Spaeth, the longtime commissioner, the process is the point. 'The delay will be nothing compared to if we do it wrong,' he said.
14 hours ago
Failed plastics negotiations in Geneva leave world few options to confront growing pollution crisis
GENEVA -- Negotiations to reach a major treaty to end growing plastic pollution around the world fell apart on Friday, with delegates in Switzerland adjourning with no immediate plans to resume. The consequence of the failed talks is devastating, as it leaves no clear path for nations to collectively address the mountains of plastic that are filling landfills, clogging oceans and showing up in chunks on beaches and other public places. 'Consensus is dead,' Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, upon adjournment. Every year, the world makes more than 400 million tons of new plastic, and that could grow by about 70% by 2040 without policy changes. About 100 countries want to limit production. Many have said it's also essential to address toxic chemicals used to make plastics. The final decision, or lack there of, underscored the influence of the United States and other oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, which opposed any limit on the productions of plastics, made mostly from fuels like oil and gas. Nations had worked for 11 days at the United Nations office in Geneva. But they were deadlocked over whether the treaty should reduce exponential growth of plastic production and put global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used to make plastics. Environmentalists, waste pickers and Indigenous leaders and many business executives traveled to the talks to make their voices heard. Indigenous leaders sought a treaty that recognizes their rights and knowledge. The Youth Plastic Action Network was the only organization that spoke at the closing meeting Friday. Comments from observers were cut off at the request of the U.S. and Kuwait after 24 hours of meetings and negotiating. After the adjornment, some delegates tried to put a good face on the negotiations and expressed hope for future talks. Delegates did agree they would meet again at some point in the future. Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, said despite challenges, despite the disappointment, 'we have to accept that significant progress was made.' This process won't stop, she said, but it's too soon to say how long it will take to get a treaty now. The negotiations were supposed to be the last round and produce the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the oceans. But just like at the meeting in South Korea last year, the talks ended with no agreement. Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, wrote and presented two drafts of treaty text in Geneva based on the views expressed by the nations. The representatives from 184 countries did not agree to use either one as the basis for their negotiations. Valdivieso said Friday morning as the delegates reconvened in the assembly hall that no further action was being proposed at this stage on the latest draft. After a three-hour meeting, he banged a gavel made of recycled plastic bottle tops from a Nairobi landfill, one of many symbols of the plastic problem that were visible during the talks. European Commissioner Jessika Roswall said the European Union and its member states had higher expectations for this meeting and while the draft falls short on their demands, it's a good basis for another negotiating session. 'The Earth is not ours only. We are stewards for those who come after us. Let us fulfill that duty,' she said. Representatives of Norway, Australia, Tuvalu and others nations said they were 'deeply disappointed' to be leaving Geneva without a treaty. Madagascar's representative said the world is 'expecting action, not reports from us.' China's delegation said the fight against plastic pollution is a long marathon and that this temporary setback is a new starting point to forge consensus. For any proposal to make it into the treaty, every nation must agree. India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Vietnam and others have said that consensus is vital to an effective treaty. Some countries want to change the process so decisions may be made by a vote if necessary. Graham Forbes, head of the Greenpeace delegation in Geneva, urged delegates in that direction. 'We are going in circles. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result,' he said as Friday's meeting ended. The biggest issue of the talks has been whether the treaty should impose caps on producing new plastic or focus instead on things like better design, recycling and reuse. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the U.S. opposed cutting plastic production or banning chemical additives in the treaty. The U.S. supported provisions to improve waste collection and management, improve product design and drive recycling, reuse and other efforts to cut the plastic dumped into the environment. Saudi Arabia said both drafts lacked balance, and Saudi and Kuwaiti negotiators said the latest proposal gave more weight to the views of other nations. That draft, released early Friday, did not include a limit on plastic production, but recognized that current levels of production and consumption are 'unsustainable' and global action is needed. New language had been added to say these levels exceeded current waste management capacities and are projected to increase further, 'thereby necessitating a coordinated global response to halt and reverse such trends.' The objective of the treaty was revamped to state that the accord would be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. It talked about reducing plastic products containing 'a chemical or chemicals of concern to human health or the environment,' as well as reducing of single-use or short-lived plastic products. It was a much better, more ambitious text, though not perfect. Each country came to Geneva with a lot of 'red lines,' said Magnus Heunicke, the Danish environment minister. Denmark holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe. 'To be very clear, a compromise means that we have to bend our red lines,' he said. ___
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bill would increase Ohio minimum wage to $15 by 2029
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A new bill proposed at the Ohio Statehouse would increase the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next four years. Senate Bill 234, introduced by Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), would gradually phase in the minimum wage increase between 2026 and 2029. The legislation was co-sponsored by five other lawmakers — all Democrats. The state's minimum wage would increase to $12 per hour beginning Jan. 1 and would increase by $1 each year, reaching $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2029. Starting on Sept. 30, 2029, the director of commerce would adjust the rate annually, which would take effect the following Jan. 1. The bill would also eliminate the tipped employee minimum wage, requiring all workers to earn the same minimum wage. 'This bill is about creating an economy that works for Ohio families, instead of one where minimum wage and tipped workers are working 60 hours a week to cover basic expenses,' Smith said in a statement. 'By ending the subminimum wage penalty and raising the minimum wage, we will alleviate poverty, grow our economy, and empower working Ohioans.' Ohio's current minimum wage is $10.70 per hour and $5.35 per hour for tipped employees. A constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2006 requires the minimum wage to be increased based on inflation. 'This bill is rooted in economic stability, fairness, and long-term prosperity,' Craig said in a statement. 'Our job is to put people first, which means raising the wage floor. As of January 1, 2020, more than half of all states and Washington, D.C., have a higher minimum wage than Ohio, and of the 27 states ahead of us, nearly a dozen are already above $15 an hour. Ohio can't afford to fall behind.' The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, as is the state's minimum wage for companies with gross receipts smaller than $394,000. A recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio found full time workers must earn at least $22.51 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Ohio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
