A burning cross was discovered in Chicago's Grant Park on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, 2026, sparking widespread outrage and a police investigation. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m.
in the 600 block of South Columbus Drive, where the wooden cross was set ablaze and propped against a tree near the sidewalk. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) responded, extinguished the fire, and launched an investigation.
On Wednesday, CPD released a photo of a person of interest—a man wearing black pants seen leaving the scene.
Keinika Carlton, a 43-year-old Hyde Park resident, witnessed the burning cross while driving with her daughter and mother-in-law. She recorded a short video and posted it on Facebook, describing the fire as "eerily controlled" and noting it did not spread naturally.
Carlton immediately recognized the burning cross as a hate symbol, historically used by the Ku Klux Klan to intimidate Black Americans. "It was a lot of emotions immediately, because this is definitely an image I am very familiar with as a Black American," she said.
The Anti-Defamation League confirms the burning cross is one of the most prominent hate symbols from the early 1900s.
The incident drew strong reactions from local leaders. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted on X, stating, "Hate has no home here in Illinois.
This symbol has one purpose: to stir up intimidation and terror. We will not be silent—those responsible must be held accountable." Mayor Brandon Johnson's office issued a statement saying, "Hate has no place in our city.
Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, protected, and respected."
Nicolas Paul, president of the DuSable Heritage Association, called the burning cross "disturbing" and "out of nowhere," noting that such a public display is unprecedented in Chicago's history. He urged all Chicagoans to learn the meaning of the symbol and understand the city's immigrant heritage.
Reverend Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham is offering a $10,000 reward from a private fund to help identify the perpetrator.
"I think we need to handle it just like we do a swastika," Pfleger said. "This is a hate crime because it is a symbol of hate."
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. The investigation is ongoing.