WEST TOWN — Bob Zwolinski, who lost a state house bid to Rep. Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago), is calling for a boycott of an awards ceremony where Soto will be recognized by a West Town hospital — the same hospital he was taken to after being allegedly attacked by Soto's daughter during a fight over campaign signs.
"I'm paying ridiculous hospital bills to St. Mary's hospital for the vicious attack of State Rep Soto's daughter and boyfriend & they're on trial for 4 FELONY accounts, which are 6 years a pop. Not to mention this is her daughters 4 battery charge. But this hospital wants to celebrate Cynthia Soto and her accomplishments. Blows my mind. The protest starts now & I'm dead set on this if they continue this insane fundraiser," Zwolinski posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
He also tagged nearly every news outlet in Chicago in the post.
Given to one honoree each year, "the goal of the Inspire Award is to recognize community leaders or organizations who make a significant impact to improving the health and welfare of our community," said Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center President & CEO Martin Judd.
Reporter Alisa Hauser with the latest twist in the Soto-Zwolinski drama.
Judd clarified that the invitation-only award ceremony honoring Soto is not a fundraiser.
"This event is honoring the public service Representative Soto has provided on behalf of the community. Since its inception 10 years ago the event has always been a celebration of an individual’s or organization’s exceptional and caring service to the community and not a fundraising opportunity," Judd said.
Soto is set to receive the award at a reception set for 5 to 7 p.m. on May 13 at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St. in Humboldt Park, according to an invitation from Judd addressed to friends of the hospital.
Zwolinski provided copies of medical bills that amount to $857.80, based on services provided at the hospital located at 2233 W. Division St. on March 6, the night of the attack.
Three days after the election, Jessica Soto and her boyfriend Bradley Fichter, both 26, were charged with felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place. Zwolinski said he caught the duo putting up Soto signs near his campaign office and when he asked them to stop they attacked him with a staple gun. A lawyer for the accused called his claims overblown and "sour grapes because he [Zwolinski] lost the election."
Jessica Soto and Fichter's next court date is May 11.
Rep. Soto did not return calls for comment on the charges against her daughter or the Inspire award.
Zwolinski suffered a broken nose and needed six stitches to close a wound in his forehead, according to prosecutors.
Jessica Soto previously spent three months on court supervision after being convicted in a 2011 battery case. She'd been charged three other times with battery and once with aggravated battery but was never convicted in those cases.
Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Fichter and Jessica Soto held in lieu of $25,000 bail each during the Friday bond hearing in which she also lamented the sad state of politics in the country. They had since been released, according to a jail inmate search.
"I'm really sad ... by how this whole election period is going," Ciesil said. "It's an embarrassment to our entire country."
Bob Zwolinski, left, the night of the attack, and the woman who allegedly put the staple in his forehead, Jessica Soto. (Zwolinski, Chicago Police)
The Presence Health Inspire Awards recognizes community leaders or organizations at each of the 11 hospitals in the chain.
Previous Inspire award honorees at Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical include Former 26th Ward Alderman Billy Ocasio; Former 32nd Ward Alderman Ted Matlak; Chicago Police Commanders, Judith Martin and Linda Flores; and Jose Lopez, President, Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
First elected in 2001, Soto is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 4th District, which includes parts of Ukrainian Village, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, West Town and Wicker Park.
Zwolinski, a Ukrainian Village resident and Democrat, helped to co-found the Wells High School Rugby Club in 2014 and works as a sales director.
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