Italian Americans Targeted In Burr Ridge Zoom Chat: Records

BURR RIDGE, IL — Two weeks ago, Burr Ridge trustees complained about slurs they said were made against Italian Americans.

The statements were said to have been made on a Zoom chat during a May 3 zoning hearing about a request to open a Burr Ridge night spot called "Are We Live?". It is being proposed by Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, an Italian American.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the Zoom messages. One commenter in particular — an anonymous person going by "John" — seemed particularly focused on Rovito's Italian-American heritage.

During the meeting, the commenter said of Rovito, "Tie his hands and he won't be able to talk." He was apparently referring to the historical tradition of hand gesturing while talking in Italy.

The commenter said the best dishes at Rovito's Burr Ridge restaurant, Capri Ristorante, are "Broken Leg of Lamb" and "Sleep With the Fishes," apparent references to the Italian mafia. He also said Rovito is listed as a "soldier for The Chicago Outfit," a historic crime organization made up of Italian Americans.

Later in the meeting, the commenter said, "Gigi??? No $2,000.000 Handmade Italian suit tonight? Whada matter wit you?"

Resident Patricia Davis replied, "Fugeddaboutit." She is a critic of Rovito and Mayor Gary Grasso, also an Italian American.

The commenter then said, "I make a motion to change the city's name from Burr Ridge to Melrose Park." Historically, Melrose Park has had a large Italian American population.

During a Village Board meeting two weeks ago, Trustee Franzese said two people on the Zoom chat made slurs against Italian Americans.

"As an Italian American, I am deeply offended by these slurs," he said. "To these two individuals, would you make these slurs against other ethnic or racial groups such as Irish Americans, Polish Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and so on? No, you would not. What makes you think it is OK to slur Italian Americans?"

Other trustees agreed with Franzese.

Also in the Zoom chat, participants mentioned Rovito's criminal record. In 2013, Burr Ridge police conducted a liquor license investigation of Rovito.

According to a memo from Police Chief John Madden, Rovito was a convicted felon with multiple convictions. Among them were aggravated sexual assault and delivery of heroin, the memo said.

Court records show the victim of the 17-year-old Rovito's 1991 sex crime was a 14-year-old girl. He was released from prison in 2002 after about five years, the chief's memo said.