Chicagoans protest Obama's presidential library
"No trauma, no 'bama" is the slogan employed by angry activists who argue that reopening the University of Chicago Medical Center's trauma center should take priority over the construction of the future Barack Obama Presidential Library.
The trauma center closed in 1988, and there are no other centers to accommodate residents of the South and West sides, where the Huffington Post reports "a disproportionate number of shootings happen." Some residents must travel by ambulance for ten or more miles for treatment, a situation which has been linked to higher mortality rates in the Windy City.
Demonstrators organized a "die-in" at Hyde Park Academy High School on Tuesday night to make a point about the need for a trauma center. UC says its other services would be "compromised" unless it received help from regional partners to build the trauma center, and that the library bid is different because it would be funded by private donations and non-federal funds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the opposition, the South Side site is still supported by many community leaders and residents, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers – a 'scintillating' and 'unmissable' show
The Week Recommends Exhibition at London's National Gallery features a 'stunning array' of paintings from the last two years of the artist's life
By The Week UK Published
-
Rachel Cooke shares her favourite books about friendship
The Week Recommends Writer and journalist chooses works by Helen Garner, Shirley Conran and others
By The Week UK Published
-
After Tua injury, can NFL make progress on concussions?
Today's Big Question Dolphins QB faces calls to retire
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published