Petition Circulating for Transit to Reach Obama's Presidential Library

Hyde Park resident launches signature campaign to rebuild the CTA's demolished Green Line to connect downtown Chicago with the future site of President Obama's Library.

1 minute read

August 1, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Adam Moss / Flickr

In 1997, the city of Chicago elected to tear down a one-mile stretch of the CTA's Green Line rather than restore it. Some argued that the noise of the train and its look were making the neighborhood less attractive. Today much of the Southside is difficult to reach by public transit, especially CTA train, the Jackson Park area is struggling, has lost about 15 percent of its population since 2000 and, notably, is to be the home of a future Obama Presidential library it seems that those arguments were short-sighted.

Reuben Lillie, a musician and resident of the neighborhood, created a petition to try to undo what he sees as a 20-year-old mistake. "It argues that rebuilding the ‘L’ is essential for improving economic opportunities for residents and workers in Woodlawn, which struggles economically in spite of its proximity to prosperous Hyde Park and the University of Chicago," Michael Podgers reports in Streetsblog Chicago.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Streetsblog Chicago

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

Railroad tracks in Idaho passing a home by a river.

Idaho may see an 18% drop in federal surface transit funding — the largest estimated cut in the US

Transit systems in rural communities are much more reliant on federal funding to provide their services.

4 seconds ago - Grist

A Florida family with their belongings in a wagon walks past a destroyed storm after a hurricane.

How ‘post-disaster gentrification’ alters neighborhoods after natural calamities

After hurricanes, fires or other calamities, the original residents of a community are often replaced by younger, wealthier residents.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

A person crossing a street under hanging traffic lights in Maryland.

Maryland local governments examine if they should have more power to raise property taxes

Maryland’s housing market is out of reach for the majority of moderate-income residents.

2 hours ago - Baltimore Sun