The Latest Breaking News from Ron Onesti

Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois all observe Columbus Day, but some are calling for new ways to celebrate Italian heritage.

Jim Peterik collapsed Sunday during a legends show in Des Plaines. He said doctors who examined him after the incident told him his blood sugar had dropped dangerously low.

Mayor Lightfoot reiterated that she doesn’t “believe in erasing history.” That’s why she’s been “talking to lots of folks about what can we do, how can we do it” to secure the Columbus statues.

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans paid a security firm to prepare plans to protect statues of Christopher Columbus removed from Grant and Arrigo parks two years ago amid protests. Recommendations include cameras, motion detectors and 24-hour guards.

“I’ve been very clear. I do not believe in erasing history. I think you’ve got to put it in a proper context. I think you’ve got to honor the entirety of that history,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.

Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), who served on the 30-member committee, said the outcome was pre-determined by the makeup of the committee.

But first, the mayor wants a plan to prevent a repeat of the July 2020 protest that injured dozens of officers. And the leader of on Italian American group said Monday the return of another Columbus statue to Arrigo Park is just as vital.

“I feel compelled to state that the deeply offensive and ridiculous claims are wholly lacking in merit,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a written statement issued Friday.

A former Chicago Park District attorney says the mayor berated him with obscenities over an agreement to have a Christopher Columbus statue displayed during the Columbus Day parade.