A City Council member wants to rename Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago after former President Barack Obama, but an Italian American civic leader wants the street to be left alone.
At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Ald. Lamont Robinson introduced an ordinance to rename Columbus Drive to Barack Obama Drive. The road stretches through the Loop from East Grand Avenue south to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.Ron Onesti, president of the Chicago branch of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, challenged the idea, saying that though Obama was "truly worthy" of such an honor, the group was against any form of "canceling" parts of their history.
The National Italian American Foundation has said Columbus, a 15th-century explorer from Genoa known for his voyage to the New World, "represents the important values of risk and discovery that are at the heart of the American dream."Onesti said that if a street is to be named after Obama, it should be one with a closer connection to the former president, such as Greenwood Avenue on the South Side, where the Obama family home sits.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New ordinance would rename ‘Columbus Drive’ to ‘Barack Obama Drive’The downtown Chicago street Columbus Drive could be renamed Barack Obama Drive in a new City Council effort. Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, introduced an ordinance Wednesday to rename the roadway. The …
Read more »
Chicago alderman calls for renaming Columbus Drive as Barack Obama DriveAlderman calls for renaming Columbus Drive as Barack Obama Drive
Read more »
Shayla Favor projected to win Democratic nomination in Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney raceFavor is a current Columbus City Council member and former Columbus assistant city attorney.
Read more »
Barack Obama reveals 2024 NCAA men’s, women’s tourney bracketsBaylor was the only area college Obama picked to advance past the Round of 32 on the men’s side.
Read more »
Tailoring Maketh Man: Barack Obama’s Suit of ReturnBarack Obama arrived at 10 Downing Street in a sleek charcoal gray two-piece suit to meet with British prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Read more »
Barack Obama Visits British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in LondonFormer United States President Barack Obama traveled to London to visit with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Read more »