Burr Ridge Nightspot's Obscene Sign Prompts Village Attention

Burr Ridge IL

29 December, 2021

10:55 AM

Description

BURR RIDGE, IL — A Burr Ridge nightspot posted a neon sign in September that many saw as obscene, prompting the village government's attention. The lettering was hard to read, but some interpreted it as saying, "Don't Give a F---, Just Smile," according to village emails obtained through a public records request. The sign was at the Sept. 17 opening party for the Are We Live lounge at County Line Square. Earlier in the year, the Village Board approved the nightspot's opening in spite of residents' opposition. On the night of Sept. 17, an officer drove by the establishment in response to a complaint and reported that he did not see any signs containing profanity. Later that night, the same officer dropped by again and told the owner, Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, that the sign was in violation of the village's sign ordinance, according to his report. The report did not say why. The report also said the sign may be in violation of another provision of the ordinance because of the obscenity. The owner agreed to turn it off. In the months after the party, Burr Ridge resident Patricia Davis exchanged emails with Village Administrator Evan Walter about the party. "I don't begrudge the man for throwing a party to celebrate his new nightspot," Davis said in an email two days afterward. "I do, however, vehemently protest his continued ability to give the middle finger 'salute' to the rules and regulations of this Village." She questioned whether Rovito had authorization to erect a sign in the first place. She also inquired whether he had the power to have cocktail tables "commandeering" the public right-of-way. Walter responded, "It is easiest to consolidate your questions into a single answer: Most of the actions observed were not permitted by the Village." But he said enforcement would not take place overnight. He noted state-mandated due process guidelines for such situations. On Nov. 16, the village cited Are We Live on charges of violating codes related to outdoor dining and prohibited signage. Earlier this month, the village's administrative hearing officer, Denise Filan, dismissed the charge for outdoor dining. Her decision document does not give a reason. For the prohibited signage charge, Filan found Are We Live violated village code. No fine was listed in the document. In an email to Davis earlier this month, Walter said Are We Live pleaded no contest to the signage charge. "I recommended a $250 fine. The opposing counsel recommended $150. The judge accepted the judgment of no contest but did not issue a fine," Walter said. Rovito, Filan and Walter did not return messages for comment. Rovito also owns Capri Ristorante.