The Sun-Times is reporting that a lawsuit filed against Riot Fest by the St. Anthony Hospital in North Lawndale has been settled after a brief hearing this morning. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the North Lawndale hospital has withdrawn its request for a temporary restraining order against the festival, which is scheduled to take place on September 11-13.
The dispute began over the weekend, when the Tribune reported that lawyers representing St. Anthony Hospital filed a federal lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order against Riot Fest. The hospital is situated on the southeastern edge of the park and alleged that the three-day festival will block access to its facilities and disturb patients and staff.
On Monday morning, a spokesperson for Riot Fest released emails from St. Anthony Hospital's lawyers, detailing an attempt to obtain a settlement totaling $154,000 from the festival's organizers in return for an assurance that the hospital would not sue. According to the release, Riot Fest has had several meetings with St Anthony's top officials since June of this year and "did 100% of what St. Anthony’s asked for."
Even before the dispute was settled, there was very little evidence to suggest that the hospital would be able to stop Riot Fest from taking place. The festival has received all necessary permits from the City of Chicago and has worked with the Chicago Park District, police department, fire departments and other city organizations to ensure the event operates in accordance with the law. Earlier today, a group of North Lawndale community leaders declared their support of the festival in a press conference, noting that the St. Anthony Hospital lawsuit "could set a dangerous precedent for future events."