‘No kings’ at $830 million Obama Center opening
(The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama has opened his presidential center in Chicago by saying the United States was not created for kings.
The Obama Foundation held a grand opening ceremony Thursday, a day before the museum’s scheduled opening to the public.
Obama said a new story emerged from the American Revolution.
“A declaration that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that in the newly-independent United States there will be no kings, no lords, no serfs, no subjects, but only citizens,” Obama said.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden joined Obama and his family on stage. Obama did not mention President Donald Trump by name, although the current president was not in attendance.
Near the beginning of his speech, Obama recognized Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“To our amazing foundation staff and our amazing board, to Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, thank you for making this center possible,” Obama said.
Obama said the facility could not be anywhere but the south side of Chicago.
“It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of these surrounding neighborhoods,” Obama said.
The Obama Presidential Center sits on 19 acres in the city’s Jackson Park neighborhood.
Area residents raised concerns about a financial report showing the facility’s endowment fund with only $1 million, even though Obama promised a $470 million endowment.
Since a groundbreaking ceremony in 2021, estimated construction costs for the Obama center have surged from around $350 million to $850 million.
The museum itself has been privately funded, although taxpayers funded millions of dollars worth of infrastructure improvements in the area surrounding the development.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke before her husband and said immigrants are the beating heart of America.
“To refuse to respect the contributions and experiences of people who aren’t exactly like us, y’all puts us all at risk,” Michelle Obama said.
General admission tickets to the Obama Presidential Center cost $23 to $30 or $15 to $26 for Illinois residents.
Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Allstate can’t delete class action over alleged secret app tracking
Chicago voters view housing affordability as bigger issue than crime
New Illinois gun bill aims at glock switches; critics say it misses the real problem
Illinois quick hits: Cook County spends nearly $20 million on food, housing services; Chicago Teachers Union tells teachers, students to skip school; Russell Dickerson to play Du Quoin State Fair
Will County Officials Warn of Zoom Court Scam Targeting Defendants for Fraudulent Dismissal Fees
Illinois quick hits: Services Saturday for teen killed by line drive
Critics concerned seizure detection bill impacts Illinois’ small businesses
CTA security enhancement plan follows federal push, complaints
Lawyers who specialize in suing Chicago cops seek special prosecutor to go after ICE
Will Land Use Committee Evaluates Multi-Million Dollar Buyout for Flooded Harris Drive Homes
Behavioral Health Division Drops Wait Times, Reports Zero Opioid Deaths in February
Harris Drive Residents Plead for County Intervention Amid Failing Septic Systems and Flooding
Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run in Homer Glen
