EAST CHICAGO | The Twin City Ministerial Association and a handful of community activists intend to keep pressure on the city of East Chicago and the Foundations of East Chicago to get them to resolve the legal issues between them.

That pressure could include a petition and marching on City Hall to show their displeasure.

The alliance met Monday at Ameristar Casino, and invited representatives from the city of East Chicago and the Foundations to come to the meeting. The ministers say the foundation had initially agreed to send a representative and the city said late Friday it would send someone provided they got the information requested in advance. That did not happen, city officials said.

The city released a statement less than an hour before the 10 a.m. meeting Monday saying the city of East Chicago and the Foundations of East Chicago, "appreciated the Ministerial Alliance's interest and efforts in finding a resolution to the pending litigation," however, both parties have agreed not to attend the scheduled session at the Ameristar Casino.

Bishop T. Lane Grant II said it is ironic the two sides have not been able to agree and resolve the issues, but they did "agree not to meet with the ministers."

Pastor Darnell Johnson said the lack of attendance at the meeting was a "slap in the face" to the ministers.

Ministers say the issues need to be responded to now, and the money needs to be released to the people. The ministers have talked about demonstrating in front of the Foundations office, City Hall and Ameristar as a way to pressure the business into using its influence and talking to both sides. Through its casino dollars, Ameristar makes major contributions to the Foundations.

Community activist the Rev. Jesus "Jesse" Luis Ortiz said the ministers don't have the resources to go after multiple groups, and he doesn't believe there's a real reason to march in front of Ameristar. He said the group needs to make the Foundations accountable and look at how the money it has received has been distributed.

He also suggested a petition drive which would have an impact on both sides.

Discussion went back and forth between the group, which said it will continue to meet for the next couple of days and develop an action plan that would be released to the public Thursday.

While the battle between the city of East Chicago and the Foundations has been tied up in court for more than two years, ministers maintain the money is not getting to the people in need. They say about $6 million is sitting in escrow though both sides are spending about a $1 million in legal fees. The case is pending before the Indiana Court of Appeals.