Full Breakdown
Chicago Mayor Endorses "Abolish ICE" for Snowplow Naming Contest
12/30/2025, 9:10:19 PM
Overview of the Snowplow Naming Contest
The city of Chicago is currently hosting its fourth annual snowplow naming contest, organized by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Residents can submit names until January 10, 2026, or until 20,000 submissions are reached. Following this, 25 finalists will be selected for public voting from February 1 to February 14, with the top six names being painted on snowplows in each of the city’s six districts.
Mayor Johnson's Endorsement
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly endorsed the name "Abolish ICE" for one of the snowplows, linking the humorous suggestion to his opposition against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. During an appearance on MS NOW, Johnson stated, “This truck being named ‘Abolish ICE’ has my full and complete endorsement,” emphasizing the harm he believes ICE has inflicted on Chicago communities. He criticized the agency's operations, claiming they have been used to "enact terror" and cause significant harm.
Public Reaction and Support
The endorsement has garnered mixed reactions on social media. One user, who initially suggested the name, expressed confidence that "this is the year we secure ABOLISH ICE on a Chicago Snowplow." However, some residents have voiced concerns that the name politicizes a traditionally light-hearted contest, arguing that snowplow names should remain fun and non-political. In response, the original poster defended their suggestion, stating it is a factual representation of the snowplow's function.
Criticism from ICE Officials
The endorsement has drawn criticism from federal officials, particularly from Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. In a recent interview, Lyons highlighted a significant increase in assaults and threats against ICE agents, claiming that attacks are up over 1,000 percent this year. He criticized Johnson's support for the "Abolish ICE" name, arguing that it undermines the agency's efforts to remove dangerous individuals from communities, such as fentanyl dealers and gang members. Lyons stated, “You have the mayor that's wanting to say that he wants to name a snowplow, right, Abolish ICE. You know, that's not being serious.”
Official Statements & Responses
Johnson's administration has not clarified whether new rules allow politically charged names to advance in the contest. The mayor's office did not respond to inquiries about the selection process for finalists in previous years or the current status of submissions. Johnson's endorsement aligns with his broader stance against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, which he claims have caused distress among Chicago residents.
What's Next
As the contest progresses, Chicago residents are encouraged to submit their snowplow name suggestions until the January deadline. The outcome of the contest, particularly regarding the "Abolish ICE" name, will likely continue to spark discussions about immigration policy and local governance in Chicago.
