NEW EAST SIDE — Mayoral contender Willie Wilson is throwing his support behind the Jackie Robinson West team, offering the troubled Chicago squad $10,000 for possible legal fees and a new trophy.
"I'm gonna put my money where my heart is at," the millionaire owner of a medical supply company announced Wednesday.
Wilson said he'll present the players with a new trophy Friday, as well as offer the money to pursue a legal case.
In a news conference at his penthouse apartment, Wilson said he wasn't sure who would file a suit to reclaim the title stripped by Little League International Wednesday. He said he would not be filing such a suit.
Yet he emphasized, "It wasn't the young men that made this happen," and expressed his support for what they were going through.
Wilson suggested "letting the young people keep their trophy" and fining the organization that oversaw players being brought in from outside the local league boundaries.
"Don't put it all on the kids," he added. "A kid should not have to pay for something that an adult did wrong."
Wilson said political appeal and his mayoral campaign had little to do with the offers.
"It's the political season, but even if it wasn't it wouldn't matter," he said, adding that he has been a longtime contributor to Little League.
Wilson said he was working on arrangements for the trophy presentation Friday.
Meanwhile, Mayor Rahm Emanuel also expressed support for the team.
"These remarkable boys brought our entire city together and reminded all Chicagoans how important it is to support our children," Emanuel said in a statement.
"They created memories that will last a lifetime and nothing will take that away, and they showed the nation their character both on and off the field. The city remains united in its support of these great children and in our hearts, they will always be champions in Chicago," he said.
On Twitter, mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia, the Cook County commissioner, said, "I'm sad to see the young athletes of Jackie Robinson West punished so harshly."
"The kids played their hearts out and did nothing wrong," Garcia said.
Another challenger, Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) blamed the adults.
"Those young men demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and teamwork and are still fine examples for other young people to follow. They should hold their heads high," he said in a statement. "It is unfortunate that the grownups didn't follow directions and now the team members are paying the price. In that there is a lesson for all of us to play fair and follow the rules."
