Local News

Lawsuit Filed In Latin School Soccer Field Fight

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The legal feud over a North Side school's soccer field continues, and Lincoln Park activists are now suing the school for taking over public land.

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports The Latin School of Chicago is one of the city's most prestigious, teaching kids of Chicago's most privileged families. But now, protesters say, it's also teaching neighbors a lesson in pure clout.

"They're telling people who don't have the money, who don't have privilege to get to the back of the bus, go somewhere else," said Elizabeth Byrne.

The protesters have filed a lawsuit against the Latin School and the Chicago Park District for building a $2 million soccer field in Lincoln Park. The school put up most of the cash for the project, and will have first dibs on its use.

"We are outraged by the taking of public land for private use," said Greta Lear of Protect Our Parks. "This privatization has to come to an end."

The demonstrators say the school shouldn't be able to buy up public land for its own use at any price, and then restrict others from using it most afternoons and weekends.

"Let the people have a say in whether a private institution should enjoy that park during virtually all the prime hours of the day," said attorney Thomas Ramsdell, who is representing the plaintiffs.

Six years ago, the Latin School abandoned a similar plan after overwhelming opposition at planning meetings and hearings. This time, critics say, there were no hearings.

"Instead of asking, they made a private deal with the park district and we feel betrayed," Lear said.

The lawsuit aims to halt construction. It's set to be heard in circuit court Friday morning.

Neither the Latin School nor the park district had any comment.

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