Vandals damage 9-foot menorah in Libertyville park

Libertyville police are looking for a vandal who damaged a 9-foot menorah in Cook Park, officials said.

The large lighted menorah, owned by 14-year-old resident Olivia Simmons, was part of a mitzvah project that debuted last year in the park on Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville Deputy Chief Bob Koval said.

Over the weekend, someone knocked the menorah over, breaking one of the candles of the steel structure and damaging some lights on the display, Koval said.

"This is the first time the display was damaged," he said. "We are obviously investigating, but we currently do not have any suspects."

A mitzvah project is a project designed to contribute to the community and is required by some synagogues as youths make the transition to adulthood.

The menorah display was put up last weekend in preparation of Hanukkah, which begins Friday at sundown.

Koval said the menorah was in the park with other holiday symbols, which were not damaged.

"Right now, we don't have any evidence one way or the other that it was or wasn't a hate crime," he said. "The menorah was in an area where Christmas and holiday displays are located, and no, none of the other displays were damaged. But, we do not have any evidence yet that suggests it was or was not a hate crime."

Koval said Simmons and her family have said the menorah would be repaired and put back up in the park in time for Hannukah. He said some lights needed to be repaired and a candle needs to be rewelded.

Koval added the community is invited to the lighting of the menorah every night of Hanukkah. The lighting starts Friday at 6 p.m., then an additional candle is lit at 7 p.m. every night after through Dec. 18.