Riot Fest will return to Chicago's Douglass Park, instead of southwest suburb

CHICAGO (CBS) — Riot Fest will return to Douglass Park in September, rather than moving the popular music festival to the suburbs as originally planned.

"We're not just coming home—we're coming back passionately, with an even greater purpose and doubling down on our commitment to Chicago, our fans, and our community. Riot Fest was born and bred here; it's where we belong," Riot Fest founder Michael "Riot Mike" Petryshyn said in a statement.

Petryshyn said the decision to move back to Douglass Park came after a talk with Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Pending approval from the Chicago Park District Board at its meeting next month, Riot Fest will be held in Douglass Park Sept. 20-22. Headliners include Fall Out Boy, Beck, Pavement, and Slayer.

Speaking exclusively to CBS News Chicago Wednesday evening, Petryshyn had a joyous tone about the return of the festival to Douglass Park.

"It's nice to be back home. This is where we should be," he said. "I think a lot of people are going to be happy we're back."

In June, Riot Fest organizers announced the initial move to SeatGeek Stadium in southwest suburban Bridgeview. Organizers had even set up shuttle buses to the suburban location. In a YouTube clip from June, Riot Fest's organizer blamed the Chicago Park District for the move.

"I didn't believe we were being treated in the same fashion as others," said Petryshyn.

However, on Wednesday, the Park District announced the festival would return to Douglass Park instead and that they were working with Ald. Monique Scott (24th) and city leaders on a long-term partnership to keep Riot Fest in Chicago.

"Independent and alternative cultural assets like Riot Fest invigorate our local economy by creating jobs, attracting tourism, supporting our youth, and providing a national stage for small businesses and artists from North Lawndale and Little Village. Riot Fest's return is a win for our community, and we look forward to the continued positive impact it will bring," Scott said in a statement.

Petryshyn said organizers met directly with Mayor Johnson, and left embraced.

"It's nice to feel like you're a part of the fabric that makes Chicago, Chicago," said Petryshyn.

As part of their permit to hold the festival in Douglass Park, Riot Fest will allocate 10% of the revenue from the festival back into Douglass Park. The Park District estimated this year's festival would generate approximately $712,000 for the park. After the festival, the Park District will work with the community on possible capital improvements for the park.

But as the festival has been unpopular amongst some neighbors for years, not everyone is thrilled. For years, neighbors around Douglass Park have complained about limited access to the park and damage to the park grounds, traffic, and noise right next to two hospitals and a rehab center.  

"We again are in situation where profit comes to the expense of Black and brown people in particular, so here we are," said Anton Adkins.

Adkins and a large group of other neighbors previously fought to get Riot Fest out of Douglass Park.

"I've seen the destruction of our neighborhood—not just the park, but our entire neighborhood," Adkins said. "Again, I want to reiterate, money has now come in to be made, and the people get nothing from it."

Ald. Scott took issue with the contention that Riot Fest does not benefit the neighborhood at all.

"They don't know what Riot Fest brings," Scott said, "and so Riot Fest brings a significant amount of resources for our community. It goes beyond the fest."

Scott credits Riot Fest with putting on a back-to-school bash in her ward Wednesday. Free food, school supplies, and pure fun were all on deck.

But Adkins said some important stakeholders were missing in the discussion about bringing Riot Fest back.

"None of us were at that table, and I think us not being at the table tells you everything you need to know," Adkins said. "We weren't included in the conversation because we we're included in the thoughts of what would happen in our very own neighborhood."

CBS News Chicago asked Ald. Scott whether the return to Douglass Park was just for one year—or for good.

"So that's something the board and park has to work on," said Scott. "You know, I had it my way, of course, I'll have them back for good."

Riot Fest began in 2005 as a multi-venue punk and rock festival in Chicago. From 2012 through 2014, Riot Fest was held in Humboldt Park, where some residents—and then-Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th)—complained about the large crowds and damage it brought to the park.