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Chicago Picks Mother Cabrini Statue to Replace Columbus at Arrigo Park

The move follows a legal settlement transferring the Columbus statue to a planned Taylor Street museum.

Empty space remains after the statue of Christopher Columbus was removed by the city for public safety at Arrigo Park, July 24, 2020. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Artist applications open March 1 to design the Cabrini monument, which will be owned by the city once completed, and officials have not set an installation date.
  • The Columbus statue from Arrigo Park was handed to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans for planned display at the future Chicago Museum of Italian Immigration.
  • Park District officials said Cabrini won a public vote, though published reports conflict on totals, with accounts variously citing 15,000 votes or about 1,500 of 3,900.
  • Cabrini, the first American saint and patron of immigrants, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and created dozens of schools, hospitals and orphanages, including in Chicago.
  • Reaction remains divided within Italian-American groups, with some backing the replacement process and others criticizing the move of Columbus indoors.