Full Breakdown
Petition to Rename Chicago’s Wabash Avenue After Barack Obama Sparks Debate
6/18/2026, 2:27:06 AM
The Renaming Proposal
A Change.org petition seeks to rename Wabash Avenue—the street that houses Trump International Hotel & Tower (401 N. Wabash Ave.)—to Barack Hussein Obama Avenue. As of mid-June 2026 the petition had gathered 22,000–23,300 verified signatures and calls on Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago City Council to replace the current address with the former president’s name. Organizers argue that the change would signal “inclusivity, resilience, and forward-thinking change” for the city.
Background and Political Context
The drive coincides with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on June 19, 2026, a major commemorative project on Chicago’s South Side. Trump Tower has long served as a focal point for protests, including recent “No Kings” demonstrations that denounced ICE raids, National Guard deployments, and called for Trump’s impeachment. The petition references “stringent immigration policies,” “rising gas prices because of a failed vanity war,” and broader frustrations with the Trump administration’s actions in Chicago.
Key Figures and Groups
- Bryce Jones – organizer of the petition and resident of Chicago’s southwest side.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson – Chicago’s mayor, who has publicly criticized Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard.
- Donald Trump – former president whose name remains on the tower and who has repeatedly attacked Chicago’s leadership.
- Chicago City Council – the body that must approve any permanent street-name change.
- Obama Foundation – managing the new presidential center and commenting on Trump’s remarks.
Data and Statistics
- Petition signatures: 22,000 (USA Today) and 23,304 (The Independent).
- “No Kings” protests have occurred multiple times near the tower since early 2024.
- ICE operations in Chicago: >1,000 arrests in 2024 and 1,500 arrests during the 2025 “Operation Midway Blitz.”
- Chicago renamed Outer Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive in 2021; 24 honorary street names were added in the first half of 2025, but living persons are barred from honorary designations.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Johnson labeled Trump’s National Guard threat “illegal and costly” and described the former president as “unhinged” and “deranged.” Trump has repeatedly called Chicago a “war zone” plagued by “out-of-control” crime and “grossly incompetent” officials. The city council has not issued a formal position, and petition organizers have not responded to media inquiries.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents note that Chicago law prohibits naming streets after living individuals, making a full legal rename unlikely. Some commentators view the effort as a symbolic gesture aimed at irritating Trump rather than a practical policy change. Prior attempts to rename the tower’s address failed to gain traction.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of petition signatures (22,000 vs. 23,304) and on ICE arrest totals (1,000 vs. 1,500). No official comment has been obtained from the petition’s organizers, leaving their strategic plans unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For many of us living on the southwest side of Chicago, the daily challenges we face are growing,” — Bryce Jones, petition organizer
- “ Adding the former Democratic president’s name to the road “would send a small message about the values we uphold as a city, those of inclusivity, resilience, and forward-thinking change,” Jones added.” — Bryce Jones, petition organizer
- “Pictured here, people take part in a ‘No Kings’ demonstration outside the skyscraper in March ( Getty Images ) Trump has a long and contentious relationship with the Windy City, repeatedly condemning it as plagued by “out of control” crime and led by “grossly incompetent” officials.” — Donald Trump
- “Trump has repeatedly bashed the center online, posting illustrations of it as trash.” — Media report on Trump’s statements
- “The Obama Foundation told USA TODAY on June 3 that Trump is welcome to visit it himself.” — Obama Foundation spokesperson
What’s Next
For the street to be officially renamed, both the mayor and a majority of city council members must approve the change—a process that historically favors honorary designations over full legal renames. The upcoming inauguration of the Obama Presidential Center may intensify public attention, while further protests at Trump Tower are expected to continue shaping the debate.
