Master at Work: Painting Gets Under Way on 'Big Chief'

Dave Ithal paints the headdress of Big Chief, as the first day of restoration got under way Wednesday on the iconic Southwest Highway landmark.

Southwest Highway’s Big Chief is Ready for His Makeover

Ithal is a lifelong Oak Lawn resident and painting contractor from Carpet Pros/Paint by Dave. He says he grew up with the Indian that was originally located at 9930 Southwest Highway on the roof of the now shuttered Cook County Cigar.

Big Chief is currently located in front of Cardinal Liquor Barn at 9630 Southwest Highway.

“The hardest part is the headdress because there are so many colors,” Ithal said.

Ithal expects to finish painting the chief by Friday, “but if it takes longer, it takes longer,” he said. “You can’t hurry art.”