Resident challenges city sign policy after Puerto Rico Festival at Wilder Park
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Summary
A resident said a sign at the Puerto Rico Festival at Wilder Park prohibited political shirts and signs and argued that wearing political apparel at a city‑owned public event is protected speech. He urged the city to stop restricting political expression at city‑owned parks.
During the public comment period, Suneet objected to a sign at the Puerto Rico Festival held at Wilder Park that, he said, read “no political signs, no hats, no shirts, next to no guns.” He reminded the committee that Wilder Park is city‑owned and said wearing political T‑shirts at public events is protected by the First Amendment.
Suneet said the festival was a public event on city property, not a private event, and that organizers or property owners alone can restrict political apparel only on private property or in specifically regulated contexts such as polling places or employer rules. “Wearing a political T shirt in a public space is allowed in Illinois,” he said. He told the council he would wear political hats at future city events if the city did not change the practice and said he might pursue the matter in court if necessary.
The remarks were part of the public comment period; the committee did not take immediate action or direct staff to follow up on the claim during the Aug. 5 meeting.
