The Virgin Mary Wars...Chicago Updates After Chicago Updates

Man arrested for allegedly defacing Virgin Mary image

Published: Friday, May 6, 2005

CHICAGO (AP) — Authorities painted over a yellow and white stain on a concrete wall of an expressway underpass that some believed was an image of the Virgin Mary after it was defaced, police said today.

Chicago police arrested a 37-year-old man early this morning for allegedly writing with black shoe polish the words "Big Lie" over the image, police spokesman David Banks said.





Virgin Mary Image Restored on Underpass

The Associated PressSaturday, May 7, 2005; 9:36 PM

CHICAGO -- A stain on the wall of an expressway underpass that some believe resembles the Virgin Mary is again attracting visitors after two car wash employees cleaned graffiti and brown paint off the image.

Rosa Diaz and Anna Reczek used a degreaser to clean the wall Friday on their lunch break.

Onlookers said they again could see the Virgin Mary. The Illinois Department of Transportation has said the stain was likely the result of salt runoff on the emergency turnoff area under the Kennedy Expressway.