To: Rahm Emmanuel, Mayor of Chicago and Ginger S. Evans, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation

Rename a Chicago Airport for President Obama

Please rename either O'Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport as the new "Barack Obama International Airport".

This will honor the legacy of former President Obama, a Chicago icon, and help future generations realize the importance of his accomplishments the same way that renaming DC's National Airport has done for Ronald Reagan.

Why is this important?

In 1998, the Republican Congress renamed Washington National Airport for President Ronald Reagan. Now every tourist and child who visits the nation's capital is reminded of Reagan's conservative policies and vision. Progressive Americans need to be just as patriotic and aggressive about defending our own accomplishments and values, cementing their role in the daily life and social landscape of the nation.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel should rename one of Chicago's airports for Barack Obama! The nation's first Black president deserves to have many transit hubs, schools, and streets named for him. Chicago is a natural place to begin this effort: It's one of the country's largest cities, Obama started his career there, and Mayor Emmanuel was his first chief of staff so might be open to the idea. Either of the city's airports would be appropriate: O'Hare is the busiest airport in the country, and Midway is a major hub for Southwest Airlines that is not currently named for a person.

Now more than ever, during the era of President Trump, progressives need to promote our vision of equality, justice, and opportunity for all Americans. Honoring and remembering the eight years Barack Obama was America's president is one way to do this, and Chicago is a great place to start. Please sign and share this petition to Mayor Emmanuel today!