The FINAL FIVE are ready for voting
Friends of the Chicago River is thrilled to share the five proposed new names for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, one of which we hope will replace the current one and rid the region of sanitary to shine a light on how much the river has improved, and how much people want to use it and wildlife needs it. The new names are part of a broader campaign to Redefine the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal as a place where people, business, and wildlife can thrive.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE
The new names include:
- Chicago-Lockport Canal
- Chicago Portage Canal
- Chicago Shipping Canal
- Illinois Prairie Canal
- Southwest Canal
Based upon the themes that emerged from a months-long public engagement process, the names reflect the function, history, natural, and location of the canal. Participants in the process included the public as well as Native American tribal representatives, historians, conservationists, residents and government leaders from canal corridor communities, artists, elected officials, business leaders, industry, government agency staff, and academia.
Knowledgeable and passionate speakers included US Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board President Kari Steele; Lemont Mayor John Egofske; Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez; Chicago Park District General Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa; Deputy Director Kevin Schnoes on behalf of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle; Derek Egan, Northern Marine; and Friends Executive Director Margaret Frisbie.
The event also celebrated the 125 anniversary of the river's reversal and its contributions to public health and safe drinking water.
To find out more about the campaign and vote on the new names, please visit boldpastbrightfuture.org and on WTTW. The Bold Past-Bright Future Coalition also incuded the option to the original name in the voting.
