Chicago takes pole position in race for Obama library, no tax dollars required
On Sept. 15, the Barack Obama Foundation announced four semifinalists in the battle to build Barack Obama’s presidential library and museum. The four potential host sites include the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University in New York City and the University of Hawaii. Holding two of the four slots, the...
On Sept. 15, the Barack Obama Foundation announced four semifinalists in the battle to build Barack Obama’s presidential library and museum. The four potential host sites include the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University in New York City and the University of Hawaii.
Holding two of the four slots, the Windy City has great odds to win the landmark. All without sweetening the pot with taxpayer dollars.
Typical of site selection for presidential libraries, the locations have varied significance to the president: Columbia University, where Obama pursued his undergraduate studies; Hawaii, where he was born; and Chicago, where he taught law, began his political career and raised his daughters. What is atypical of the 44th president’s site-selection process is the fact that Illinois initially offered public funding for the library, long before bids were even due to qualify for consideration.
Last spring, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan quietly proposed an appropriation of $100 million in taxpayer dollars to finance the museum’s construction, most recently estimated to cost $500 million.
Since the day Madigan’s proposal was introduced, the Illinois Policy Institute has been vocal in our opposition to spending tax dollars to foot the construction of this monument. Since the presidential library system began under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the late 1930s, each of the 13 presidential libraries has been constructed entirely with private funds.
Madigan’s proposal to dedicate state resources to President Obama’s legacy was truly an unprecedented move.
Once the public became informed of this scheme, the tainted bill was set aside. Most observers wondered why Madigan would propose $100 million in public funding – especially during a time of fiscal crisis – toward a project that has a promising shot at coming to fruition, regardless of whether or not the state spends a dime.
Among the myriad reasons why Chicago has long been considered to be leading the pack in the site-selection running is that the Barack Obama Foundation, tasked with planning the development of the future library, is located in Chicago.
The Barack Obama Foundation has released a “request for proposal” due Dec. 11. The board plans to present recommendations to Mr. and Mrs. Obama in early 2015.