State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, is suing Tinley Park and Orland Township as well as village and township officials in federal court, alleging his constitutional rights have been denied because he’s been blocked from taking part in or holding community events.
The lawsuit was filed Friday and cites a “consistent and systematic campaign” to prevent Rita from taking part in events such as the National Night Out Against Crime, scheduled to take place Tuesday in Tinley Park.
The lawsuit also alleges village officials twice denied applications by Rita to hold shredding events last year in Tinley Park, something he had organized for several years prior.
The complaint alleges village officials cited traffic and safety concerns in denying a special event permit for the shred event.
Regarding the upcoming National Night Out, Rita, in the lawsuit, said he had an email exchange with Tinley Park police Chief Matthew Walsh, in which Walsh told the legislator he had been approved to participate.
The lawsuit cites an email Rita received this week from Walsh reversing course, telling the legislator the National Night Out event is meant to “honor law enforcement and I respectfully request that we refrain from any politics.”
Rita alleges the reversal came following pressure from Mike Glotz, Tinley Park’s mayor, and Paul O’Grady, Orland Township supervisor. They are both named as defendants in the lawsuit.
The complaint seeks an immediate order allowing Rita to take part in the upcoming National Night Out event.
mnolan@tribpub.com
