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Conservation Police Investigate Graffiti at Sacred Starved Rock Formation

Conservation police said they are hoping to speak with two people seen in a photo posing with the graffiti, but it is unclear if they are the ones who defaced the rock

Officials at Starved Rock State Park are investigating recent graffiti that was seen on a sacred rock over Labor Day weekend.

Images of the Council Overhang rock formation show a heart with “B + X” in the center and “2019” written below it.

Conservation police said they are hoping to speak with two people seen in a photo posing with the graffiti, but it is unclear if they are the ones who defaced the rock. The couple has been identified, police said, but officers have not been able to speak with them. 

A witness reported to an employee that they saw a couple defacing the rock and told them to stop. 

"[The witness] also said at that time they heard the people say they were going to put it on Instagram," said Starved Rock State Park Supt. Kerry Novak. 

That same day, an employee found an image on Instagram showing two people at the scene with the graffiti behind them.

Officials said the state park was at capacity that weekend.

At 450 million years old, the rock formation is a sacred part of the park. It was used 8,000 years ago as a Native American gathering place, according to the park.

"It's like if you went out in the morning and saw your car damaged or vandalized. It's that same sick feeling," Novak said. "It's such a beautiful spot." 

It is a sandstone rock formation, park officials said, meaning it is very delicate and difficult to clean without damage. Specialists were being called in to clean the graffiti on the fragile formation, but police said the graffiti appears to have been done using some sort of "burnt stick," which could make the removal process less damaging. 

“One of our largest problems at the park are visitors who do not respect the parks [sic] trails, exhibits, buildings, interpretive panels on trails, and the natural sandstone features,” a now-deleted Facebook post from Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks read.

Park officials said they took down the post due to hostile comments and concerns of a copycat. 

The park advocates its “7 Principles of Leave No Trace,” which include “leave what you find.”

“Cultural artifacts are protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. It is illegal to remove or disturb archeological sites, historic sites or artifacts,” the rules state.

"It's a disgusting act," said Novak said. "It's very selfish. It's very self-centered." 

The person who drew on the rock will likely receive a "warning," police said. 

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