Elmhurst Official Criticizes Church's Pro-Life Crosses

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Alderman Guido Nardini has made his views known about a pro-life display of crosses at a local Catholic church – he doesn't like it.

His latest Facebook post about the subject was this week.

Afterward, a resident emailed Mayor Scott Levin to complain about the message. The mayor said he questioned why Ward 6's Nardini would make such a public comment.

The crosses signify the church's pro-life position on abortion. Recently, Elmhurst police arrested a New York City woman in connection with damage to a similar display at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 426 N. West Ave.

In this week's post on a community Facebook page, Nardini noted the display at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York St., had been taken down for another year.

"And just like that we're back to normal, not crowded with invective or admonition, just an open lawn, an open heart," Nardini wrote. "Welcome back to the neighborhood. Forgiving a friend his transgressions is Christlike."

In September 2021, he wrote about the crosses, "Is this 'love' or 'shame' in Jesus' name? A respectful query to Visitation parishioners."

Two years earlier, he said on Facebook, "I try to see the world as others do, but for my life this always strikes me as a curious way to celebrate Jesus."

In his response to the resident, Levin said he recognized Nardini's First Amendment right to express his opinion. He said he questioned why the alderman would make such a post.

"You may rest assured that I personally recognize the significant difference in speaking as a public official as opposed to a private citizen," Levin said. "I personally believe it is important to respect differing viewpoints, including those religiously based, given the (cross-damaging) crimes for which we just made an arrest."

The mayor also said he realized he was not in sync from time to time with all 14 aldermen.

"As a City Council member, I would not have made the social media post," Levin said in his email. "Yet, I also recognize that Ald. Nardini has demonstrated his commitment to keeping Elmhurst a great place for all. Please know that Visitation is an important institution for our community, and one I fully support."

Contacted by Patch, Nardini said in an email that Visitation Church is important for Elmhurst. He lives a few blocks away.

He said he was confirmed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elmhurst, but attended Visitation in the days of the Rev. Dominic Valentino, which he said was before the crosses display.

"There are compassionate people on both sides of this discussion. Visitation has every right to express its opinion on the most divisive issue of our time," said Nardini, who was elected in April. "I just wish they could be a little more neighborly about it. A dead baby graveyard is ghoulish. It’s provocative. Parishioners say the message changed from condemnation to aid this year, but it's the same display."

He continued, "My concern is with the people who take detours around Vis when their kids are in the car because it makes them uncomfortable. It’s a heavily trafficked street and parents don’t know how to explain the graveyard to their kids."

Nardini said the mayor counseled him that no matter the profile he uses on Facebook, there's no difference between public and private.

"You can’t split into two people," the alderman said. "He has fielded calls and emails about my post. I apologize for putting that on his plate."

The Elmhurst native said he loves the town.

"Whether it’s stormwater or economic development or Nicor digging up your parkway, as a public servant, I'm at your service," Nardini said. "I answer every call or text. I’m committed to making Elmhurst a great place to live."

Nardini's comment was on the "Elmhurst, IL News and Comment" page, where he is one of the administrators.

Before joining the City Council, Nardini was outspoken at Elmhurst school board meetings. He defended the board's handling of masks and other pandemic restrictions.

He also defended York High School teachers from the allegations of conservative critics.

Nardini's online post was not the first from an alderman that Levin has addressed.

In August, Levin rebuked Ward 7 Alderman Rex Irby, who hinted publicly online that a conservative leader was under police investigation for identity theft.

In the April election, Irby ousted longtime Alderman Mark Mulliner. Shortly afterward, Irby said residents had asked him to run because of Mulliner's involvement in a conservative parents group known as EPIC.

Mulliner was previously the group's Facebook administrator. He also took part in an anti-mask protest outside an elementary school.

Despite his side gigs, Mulliner kept his political ideology at the door during City Council meetings. So have Nardini and Irby.