Newsroom

"We recognize that there would be support for the selection of any city, but we also believe that Chicago has a very distinct relationship with the Obama family and that the roots that have been laid in Chicago will continue to find fertile ground. It would certainly further the legacy of the Obama family and be an inspiration to the many families, old and young, who have supported and continue to support your human and societal aspirations."

Network of Woodlawn

“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with the Obama Presidential Library in order to carry out the vision of our first family as they continue to put the people first.”

KLEO Community Family Life Center

"The Obama Presidential Library will be a reflection of President Obama's vision to build resilient neighborhoods and cities, and to celebrate and support diversity as a fundamental aspect of sustainability in communities."

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

“A vibrant, scholarly, and welcoming Obama Presidential Library located in the South Side of Chicago would send an unequivocal message to youth and families that the aspirational is accessible.”

High Jump

“Locating the Obama Presidential Library in the heart of the South Side will send a powerful message about possibility and hope.”

Toni Preckwinkle President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

“The work of building our community anew and preserving its historic cultural and political legacy is intellectually engaging and inspiring. I believe that the proposed Presidential Library can help strengthen this community’s sense of continuity and hope for the future.”

Timuel Black Community Advisory Board

“This can benefit us if you add information about his family and himself. It will be awesome to learn about Obama and his family. It will also be amazing to see artifacts and learn about his experience being president. Going to the library would be a fun way to learn about one of our most memorable leaders. I believe you cannot have this Library anywhere else besides here in Chicago where he made his career.”

Chasity Clark Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School

“I can think of no better place to locate the Presidential Library, at once deeply rooted in the city that gave rise to powerful social movements, and inspiring the current and future generations about the possibilities for humankind when guided by visionary leadership.”

The Chicago Community Trust

“Economic development has eluded the Washington Park and the surrounding communities. In addition, the neighborhood has lost two-thirds of its population since 1960. Washington Park has more than 1,000 vacant properties; almost one-third of the properties are City-owned. WPCC seeks to work with the University of Chicago and the Obama Presidential Library Foundation in reversing these trends. Today, The Washington Park Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen the ability of our businesses to serve our market, to bring new businesses to the market, and to rebuild the market itself with emphasis on future growth and development. To that end, we champion projects that have both an economic development and a community development impact. The Obama Presidential Library has both!”

Washington Park Chamber of Commerce

“The Chicago Botanic Garden would be honored to work with the University of Chicago to counsel and assist in the design and construction of any gardening components to the library, creating on Chicago’s South side a place and suite of programs that offer the same sense of beauty, sanctuary, and educational opportunities found on the Garden’s north campus and throughout the Chicago Botanic Garden's successful Windy City Harvest program. We can imagine a unique library campus that reflects in spirit First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House garden—a vibrant, thriving space for learning, inspiration, and growth—as well as the President’s interests in science education and workforce development and a shared commitment to veterans. We envision a place where youth discover the importance of pollinators and learn how to grow, sell, and cook food; be prepared for careers in the growing field of urban agriculture; where young ex-offenders gain positive work habits; and where veterans come to experience the healing power of plants.”

Chicago Botanic Garden

"President Obama and the First Lady are some of the most important role models in the lives of our members. Their interest in the fitness, wellness, education and safety of children fully align with the mission of our 112 year old institution: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. To that end, Boys & Girls Club of Chicago would look to engage in active partnership with this effort."

Boys and Girls Club of Chicago

“Generations of women and their families have placed their trust in the YWCA, on Chicago’s south side and beyond, to transform their lives, families, and communities. The Barack Obama Presidential Library will be a catalyst for impact to communities everywhere, delivering on the promise of partnership and inspiration. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago strongly supports the creation of the library on Chicago’s south side through collaboration with the University of Chicago.”

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

“The South Side community in Chicago has a rich history and legacy and, which a bounty of resources that includes the University of Chicago, the DuSable Museum of African American History and the Chicago Museum of History and Science, a tremendous potential for vibrant growth. Locating the Barack Obama Presidential Library here would be the fuel to ignite that potential and drive economic and cultural expansion. Equally impactful is that the Barack Obama Presidential Library would provide inspiration to the community and city at large and would exemplify the true power of opportunity and what it can mean.”

Chicago Urban League

“Healthy Schools Campaign is pleased to support the University of Chicago’s Presidential Library proposal and is prepared to work with both the University and the Obama Presidential Library Foundation to carry on the important work around education, health, the environment and social justice that has been a cornerstone of the Obama administration.”

Healthy Schools Campaign

“While South Shore Drill Team members reside in 28 zip codes across the Metro area, approximately 38% come from Greater Grand Crossing, Woodlawn, and Washington Park neighborhoods, and 75% live in the surrounding community. The location of a Presidential Library would provide access to living history and make a positive impact on young people who live on the Southside, as well as the adult residents. At the same time it would give those who live in other parts of the City and Chicago visitors a reason to come to the Southside, bringing much needed economic development to this area.”

South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble

“Our support of the University of Chicago’s bid to locate the OPL in a neighboring community is consistent with our organizational goal and programs: to support organizations that have the demonstrated ability to advance economic development in the African American community; develop effective educational and improve programs for youth in public schools; preserve African American history, advance creative work in the performing, literary and visual arts among other community affirming objectives.”

Black United Fund of Illinois

“We enthusiastically support the University of Chicago’s application because the spirit of their bid and the goals they have set for the library mirror PAC’s values. The University has made an admirable effort to engage surrounding community stakeholders; to find and build upon existing assets in those communities; and to set a vision of greatness for Chicago’s diverse, south side. Having a presidential library in a south side community would be another step in these efforts and a tremendous economic benefit.”

Public Allies

“GAGDC understands how crucial a youth’s experiences are to future development, and we wholeheartedly believe that bringing The Obama Presidential Library Foundation to the south side of Chicago would not only foster and promote education, economic development and job creation, but would also inspire future generations of youth in Chicago and the region.”

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation

“We are convinced an Obama Presidential Library in Chicago would help us further our goals and provide a personal benefit to many members of our community. It would serve as an anchor for all of the Chicagoland area in which individuals can participate in community initiatives and educational programs, utilize a wealth of knowledge and educational resources, and promote the type of economic development which directly aligns with the goals of our organization.”

The Resurrection Project

“The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) Board of Directors and Executive Director wish to voice our support for the University of Chicago’s bid to bring the Obama Presidential Library to the South Side of the City of Chicago. The SECC Board, established in 1952, is comprised of leaders who represent the Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Woodlawn communities. These five communities make up the ‘Neighborhood’ service area of the SECC.”

South East Chicago Commission

“The Barack Obama Presidential Library/Museum would be extremely beneficial to the Chicago area. Many students, like me, would be inspired by it. With all of the most important documents, letters and speeches surrounding a plethora of future generations.”

London Duku Hyde Park Academy High School student

“Also, the library will allow teens to stay off the streets. This library will allow our next generation to know more about the presidents responsibilities. The library will gain more people attention than other libraries because it will not only allow people to learn more things, but they will also learn to work together and make a better city. Keeping teens off the street will have a great impact in Chicago.”

Jazane Holmes Hyde Park Academy High School student

“I am a student at Hyde Park Academy and I feel that it will benefit my peers and other students in Chicago for the Barack Obama Presidential Library to be here in your hometown, Chicago. Your legacy has inspired many people. It will attract many tourists, which will bring jobs for many people. It will also help children become involved with their community. When you became the first African American President it inspired me to become the first of something and the best.”

Kamiah Mitchell Hyde Park Academy High School student