New statue to celebrate an individual of Italian heritage with a lasting legacy; chosen after an intentional, thoughtful community engagement process, and review of the top three nominations
CHICAGO – The Chicago Park District and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are thrilled to announce that Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini will be memorialized in a new monument to be installed at Arrigo Park, 801 S. Loomis St.
The Park District and DCASE led a community engagement process to select an individual of Italian heritage to be honored for their contributions to the Italian American community. Upon completion, the statue will be owned by the City of Chicago, and displayed in the seven-acre park, located in the Near West Side community.
“When Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini came to Chicago in 1899, she didn’t just serve immigrant families, she built institutions that transformed lives. She founded schools, orphanages, and hospitals that cared for Italian immigrants facing hardship, and she ensured that resources flowed back into the neighborhoods that needed them most,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Her work reflects Chicago at its best: a city that rises by lifting others. This monument at Arrigo Park will honor her enduring legacy and all of the communities who continue to shape our city.”
Three finalists for the Arrigo Park monument were selected from 157 nominations, and eight candidates met the selection criteria: demonstrated civic impact; historical and cultural significance; and integrity and enduring impact. Out of the eligible candidates, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini received an overwhelming majority of votes (totaling 1,500 out of 3,900 submissions), and an outpouring of public enthusiasm. Based on her strong public support and living embodiment of all three criteria, the Park District and DCASE selected Mother Cabrini as the person to be commemorated.
“The Chicago Park District is excited to partner with DCASE to recognize the legacy and lasting impact of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini with a monument in Arrigo Park, and to honor her commitment to the Italian diaspora in Chicago and beyond in our statuary collection,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Mother Cabrini’s dedication to advancing equity, justice and inclusivity for the marginalized immigrant communities aligns with the Park District’s promise to make parks accessible to all.”
DCASE will issue a Request for Qualifications to solicit artist proposals for the design and fabrication of the statue by March 1, 2026. The RFQ will be available here.
“DCASE is proud to collaborate with the Chicago Park District and the community in honoring Mother Cabrini’s enduring legacy through this new monument at Arrigo Park. This project reflects the power of public art to honor the individuals whose lives and service have shaped Chicago’s neighborhoods and cultural identity,” said DCASE Acting Commissioner Kenya Merritt. “We are grateful to the residents, partners and stakeholders who participated in this thoughtful selection process, and we look forward to engaging artists whose vision will bring this tribute to life for generations to come.”
Mother Cabrini
Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917), also known as Mother Cabrini, was an Italian-born missionary nun that founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this religious order, she helped build 67 hospitals, schools, and orphanages dedicated to serving poor immigrants and children in the United States, South America and Europe, including two hospitals in Chicago.
In 1946, she became the first naturalized U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint by the Catholic Church, and is known as the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators.
The Selection Process
The candidate submission process ran between November 21 and December 12, 2025. During this time the public suggested the names of Italian Americans to be memorialized through an online form on the Chicago Park District’s Arrigo Park webpage. Nominations were required to meet specific criteria, including demonstrating civic contribution, historical and cultural significance, and integrity and enduring impact. For consideration, proposed individuals must have been of Italian heritage and deceased for at least ten years.
At the end of the call for submissions, 157 proposals were received, showcasing eight candidates that met all required criteria. Among the eligible nominees were many notable figures, including Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, Renato Dulbecco, Enrico Fermi, Phillip Mazzei, Maria Montessori, Florence Scala, Antonin Scalia and Amerigo Vespucci.
From January 15 through February 1, 2026, the public was asked to vote on the finalists. The Park District and DCASE evaluated the top three nominees that received the highest number of votes to guide their final selection of the person to be memorialized.