Chicago City Council Committee Votes on Housing Plan Related to Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park

CHICAGO (WLS) — Work on the Obama Presidential Center continues to move along in Chicago’s Jackson Park.

It is expected to open next year, but there are still questions about how it will impact the neighboring community.

On Wednesday, a Chicago City Council committee voted on a revised proposal to prevent residents being priced out of South Side communities by the Obama Center.

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With the Obama Center due to open next year, the area around the Jackson Park complex is changing as well.

On Thursday, revisions to an ordinance that had languished was brought to City Council’s Housing & Real Estate Committee.

The amendment to the proposed South Shore Housing Opportunity Ordinance reported to aldermen that since 2015, rents have gone up 43% around the Obama Center, and housing values were up 130%.

The amendment reserves land and funds for affordable housing of apartments and homes. It also offers displaced residents a right to return and commits to neighborhood hiring.

Since the Obama Center was announced, residents in the area had wanted a Community Benefits Agreement. The Obama Foundation would not agree to a CBA. Rallies and protests followed.

Fast forward to 2025, the organization that had been the loudest against residents being displaced now supports the amendment.

“We are really excited to use today to move forward,” said Dixon Romero with Southside Together and CBA Coalition.

Romero, whose grandmother struggled to stay in their family home, spoke on behalf of the amendment. Romero had been outspoken about the need for a Community Benefits Agreement.

“Ultimately, we believe the work in this ordinance is about opportunity,” Romero said.

Some of the public comment was against the amendment.

“This ordinance, without amendment or allowing the community members to see it or discuss it or amend it, risks undermining the catalytic investments already under way,” Shore Shore resident LaShawn Brown said.

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“We are not against the CBA,” said Jonathan Trey Scott with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. “We are against our large catalytic site developments along 71st Street and Stony Island being placed in to this housing project ordinance.”

After hours of private discussions, Alderman Desmon Yancy was to last the speak about the proposal before the committee.

“While this ordinance doesn’t solve ever issue its impact will be felt for generations so residents in the pilot area will be encouraged to stay in their homes age in place and create generational wealth,” Ald. Yancy said.

The committee voted to unanimously to approve the revised ordinance.

With approval from Housing and Real Estate, the ordinance goes to full City Council on Thursday.