Chicago Rat Hole: Good Samaritans save Roscoe Village attraction from cement defacement
"The rat hole is super fun... it doesn't hurt anybody," local hero Jonathan Howell said.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The infamous Chicago Rat Hole was defaced sometime before Friday afternoon, a state representative said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Eleventh District Rep. Ann Williams just before 12:45 p.m. Friday said the rat-shaped imprint on a sidewalk in Roscoe Village was filled with an unknown substance.
"We are shocked and saddened to learn of this news and closely monitoring this situation," she said.
However, just after 2 p.m., Williams posted on X again to say "the Chicago Rat Hole has been restored to its former glory after local residents braved the cold and icy conditions to scrape out the plaster-like substance from the Rat Hole. This is what community is all about."
The Chicago Rat Hole is located near Roscoe Street and Damen Avenue.
One man who helped restore the rat hole spoke to ABC7.
When Jonathan Howell, his friend and a wife went to see the site on Friday, they found that someone had filled it with cement. It was still wet, so they dug it out.
"The rat hole is super fun," Howell said. "Everybody loves a goofy story like this... it doesn't hurt anybody."
Howell's advice to anyone coming to the city: make sure you see the rat hole.
Some on social media have said the rat hole is "more iconic than the Bean," and made trips to go see it and make offerings.
Benny The Bull was recently seen there, leaving popcorn and a small Bulls jersey.
