Chicago police Wednesday released a picture of a person they suspect lit a cross on fire in the middle of the afternoon in Grant Park, alarming officials, faith leaders and the public.
A shirtless male was seen fleeing the park, where a large cross was set ablaze in the 600 block of South Columbus Drive around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters extinguished the blaze.
In a community alert circulated Wednesday, police described the arson suspect as a male wearing dark pants, white shoes and carrying a backpack.
Meanwhile, faith leaders have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the male, and officials including Mayor Brandon Johnson and the local City Council member are “deeply disturbed.”
In a statement announcing the reward, the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church called on individuals to respond.
“This bold rise of racism must be condemned by every race, faith community and Chicagoan, as was done with the swastika,” Pfleger wrote, adding that the incident should be “treated as a hate crime.”
The “motives and circumstances” of the cross-burning are under investigation, police said. No one was hurt, and no one is in custody.
Mayor Johnson issued a statement saying he was “deeply disturbed upon seeing the images” of the fire.
“Hate has no place in our city. … Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, protected and respected while going about their day or enjoying our public spaces,” the mayor said in the statement. “We will continue working across City government to uphold that standard and ensure Chicago remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for all.”
Ald. Brendan Reilly, whose 42nd ward includes Grant Park area, echoed some of the mayor’s concerns, saying the burning cross is deeply disturbing given the troubling history and association with hate and racial intimidation.
In a statement, Reilly said: “This incident has understandably caused concern throughout our community. I am hopeful the Chicago Police Department can utilize the extensive network of POD cameras and private security cameras in the area to identify and apprehend those responsible for this act.”
Jonn Blazey was stopped at a red light on Columbus Drive as he was heading to his Albany Park home Tuesday afternoon when he said he noticed the blaze.
“I looked over and just saw that there was a big fire that was burning,” Blazey, 44, said.
Blazey called 911 and reported the fire, adding that he saw someone in what he described as “dirty clothes” walking away from the blaze.
Blazey said he spent 12 years working for nonprofit organizations and was disappointed about the fire but empathetic toward the person responsible.
“I didn’t see any intention behind it other than [a person] suffering,” Blazey said. “I just want us all to be more loving and kind to each other, more willing to make this city better [and] sacrificing ourselves and our feelings sometimes to care for other people.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the police department’s arson section at 312-746-7618 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com.