A New Name is in the Works!

After months of community outreach and input, the naming competition phase of our Redefining the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal campaign has concluded. We are so pleased to share that the response from the public was tremendous with nearly 4,000 votes demonstrating strong interest in reimagining this historic waterway and what it can mean for the region. Voters were asked to rank their preference of five new names, or keep the current one.

After adding it all up, the top two in order of rank were Illinois Prairie Canal then Chicago Portage Canal.

Keeping the existing name with the word "sanitary" had the most votes against it.

Next, after completing a few formalities, the Coalition will work on the application to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. This federal review process is complex and can take several months, or even more than a year to complete.

Please note that the name that emerged from this process is by no means the new name until such a time that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approves it. Community outreach and support efforts will continue.

Meanwhile, while the naming competition has concluded, the broader redefining process is just beginning. We look forward to sharing more updates as this important effort progresses, and will be begin community outreach shortly.