Rialto Marquee Donor Asks for His Money Back

The Rialto marquee as it looks today; a rendering of a proposed design that met with criticism from residents.

A Joliet businessman has reportedly asked for his $350,000 donation back, amid talk of redesigning a new marquee for the historic Rialto Square Theatre.

Ed Czerkies, who last summer agreed to fund the marquee, has asked for his money back, WJOL reported Thursday. According to the station, the theater has already spent $198,000 on the new marquee, which was already under construction, but will have to return the entire $350,000 to Czerkies.

Czerkies’ decision to pull the donation came the same day the Rialto’s governing board voted to table a final agreement with Czerkies while a second design is being completed. The board began discussing a redesign amid criticism and complaints from area residents.

The Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority on Thursday tabled the agreement with Czerkies, according to the Herald-News.

The design paid tribute to Czerkies’ late parents, Michael and Mary Czerkies. The agreement tabled Thursday stated that an inscription to the couple would remain on the marquee for 25 years, the Herald-News reported. Click here to read the full article.

A rendering of a new digital marquee, complete with ability to play video, was unveiled by the theater in November, drawing criticism from residents, who pushed the board for a redesign.

A marquee with the original design was already being built by Indiana-based Landmark Sign Company. Rialto General Manager Randy Green last month criticized a member of the “Rialto Belongs to the People” Facebook group for posting photos of the partially completed sign, claiming she obtained the imagines by saying she was asking for them on Green’s behalf.

Residents have been outspoken online regarding their opinions of the marquee’s design, and have also spoken out at Joliet city council and Rialto board meetings.

Last month, Czerkies told news outlets he would pull his donation if the marquee’s design is significantly changed, and, in a letter to the editor, said donors want to know their gifts are appreciated, adding, “I would be very happy to receive my donation returned to me so I can seek out other charitable ways to honor my parents.”

Related:

• Rialto Manager Accuses Marquee Opponents of Trying to Dupe Sign Company
• Rialto Officials: New Marquee Has Been Nearly a Decade in the Making
• Plans for New Rialto Marquee Draw Criticism
• Protest Planned in Rialto Marquee Controversy
• Joliet’s Rialto to Get New Marquee