Bridgeview delays 'Little Palestine Way' sign unveiling amid claims of political interference

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- A planned celebration to unveil an honorary street sign recognizing Bridgeview's Palestinian community has been put on hold after organizers say political interference halted installation at the last minute.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, was meant to mark the debut of "Little Palestine Way," an honorary designation for a stretch of Harlem Avenue. Community members had expected the Illinois Department of Transportation to install two signs Friday - one marking the cultural district and another honoring Wadea Al-Fayoume, the 6-year-old Palestinian boy killed in a hate crime in Plainfield.

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Amira Daoud, a Bridgeview resident, said the sign represents longsought recognition.

"So, it's really important to me that we get some kind of representation. You know, like, we have Greektown; we have Chinatown; we have all these amazing places all around Chicago. And this is another one of these amazing places in our community, and we should be able to celebrate that," she said.

But organizers say IDOT abruptly postponed installation. Dr. Sabha Abour, a community organizer involved in planning the celebration, said she received an email from Chicago Department of Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi stating the event would need to be rescheduled "until all the legislators' schedules are able to accommodate this event."

Abour alleges the delay stems from political retaliation by Illinois state Sen. Willie Preston, claiming he contacted IDOT after not being invited as a speaker.

"Willie Preston is upset because he was not invited to be a speaker at this event. He has proven time and time again that he is not an ally to our community, and he's not a supporter in our community," Abour said.

She said she has filed an ethics complaint against Preston, and her attorney sent a letter to IDOT accusing the agency of "First Amendment retaliation."

After repeated requests for comment from Preston, ABC7 received a statement on Friday afternoon.

The lawmaker did not address the allegations that he delayed the unveiling, but noted that he was a chief sponsor of the resolution for "Little Palestine Way," adding, "I look forward to participating in an event that brings everyone together to celebrate this important achievement for the community."

Illinois state Rep. Lisa Davis said IDOT should not be involved in political disputes.

"Anything that the community was doing in celebration of the sign going up that had nothing to do with the Illinois Department of Transportation. Their sole job was to make the sign and then install the sign," she said.

In a statement Friday afternoon, IDOT apologized for the inconvenience and offered organizers five replica signs to unveil at the celebration. Organizers rejected the offer.

The community event is still planned for Saturday, though without the official signs in place.