Radio Host Blasts Burr Ridge's 'COVIDian Nuts'

BURR RIDGE, IL — Chicago radio talk show host Dan Proft is doubling down on his allegation that the Pleasant Dale Park District in Burr Ridge had originally planned to make unvaccinated girls wear street clothes in a basketball league this month.

The problem with his story: He has yet to provide any evidence.

On his radio program Monday, Proft criticized Patch for last week's reporting of his statement on the park district's policy. Later, he told a Patch reporter by text message, "F--- off."

Last week, Proft, a co-host of "Chicago's Morning Answer," tweeted the district would make unvaccinated girls wear different clothing from their vaccinated counterparts. He said he could see no reason to do so other than shaming the unvaccinated.

His statement followed the district's message to parents. It said it would follow Cook County's vaccination mandate for indoor venues and not allow unvaccinated people into its facilities. The message also said coaches and players would be required to wear their jerseys to all practices and games to help identify who is already confirmed as vaccinated.

In an interview Tuesday, Matt Russian, the park district's executive director, said the jersey provision was to make the process of admitting players "minimally invasive," so players did not have to show their vaccination cards every time.

However, Proft maintained on air Monday the district was requiring vaccinated and unvaccinated players wear different clothing. He said this in spite of the fact that the district would not even have allowed unvaccinated people into its facilities.

Proft's co-host, Amy Jacobson, chimed in, "That's ridiculous and vaccine shaming."

Proft said Patch "completely misreported it and mischaracterized what I said," but he did not explain how.

"That's what these hack outlets do and hack reporters like David Giuliani at the Patch," he said. "We're going to have adolescent girls dress differently. What other purpose could be behind that other than shaming?"

In a text message Monday, Patch asked Proft about which provision required different clothing. He declined to say. But he contended the Patch reporter misstated what he wrote and was apparently unable to read the district's statement.

"I called out your crap reporting just so no one in Burr Ridge is confused by your flacking for the COVIDian nuts there," Proft said.

Patch asked again, saying it would report information that backed up Proft's argument.

He responded, "Not interested in doing your job for you. F--- off. Write that too. Have a glorious '22."

After Proft's tweet last week, the park district pulled the policy, saying it would be reviewed by its lawyer and insurer. Russian, the district's director, said the policy was not authorized by him or the park board.

On Monday, Cook County revised its vaccination card mandate to allow unvaccinated people 18 or younger to participate in youth athletics and recreation. In other words, Pleasant Dale can continue to let in unvaccinated children.

Proft's message about Pleasant Dale spread widely, retweeted more than 140 times. He has 17,000 followers on Twitter. He put out a similar message on Facebook, where he has more than 7,000 followers.