City Cast Chicago logo
Display Ad: Enjoy Illinois, Meet in the middle
March 9, 2022

How South Siders Are Fighting to be Part of Obama Center 'Transformation'

City Cast Chicago

How South Siders Are Fighting to be Part of Obama Center 'Transformation'

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

Construction is underway on the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. But since the project launched, residents in nearby neighborhoods like Woodlawn and South Shore have worried the “transformation” the center is expected to bring to the South Side could push them out of their homes. They’ve fought for a community benefits agreement to ensure protections, but project leaders — and the former president, himself — have rejected calls to sign one. So what is a CBA? And without one, how else are housing activists fighting displacement?


Guests:

Dixon Romeo — Organizer, Not Me We

Sarah Conway — Senior Reporter, City Bureau


Here’s City Bureau’s guide on community benefits agreements and alternatives.


Check out the Women's L Project, which celebrates women of Chicago's past and present.


Call or text us at 773-780-0246 and tell us what you were doing right before the pandemic shutdown in 2020.


Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago

Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
May 29

School Board Hopefuls, Traffic Court Confusion, and Murakami Homers Again … And Again

This year, for the first time, Chicago will fully elect the 21-person school board. Candidates had to get their petitions in this week wi...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 28

A Chicago Mayor and Pope Walk Into a Schlitz Bar…

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Vatican City this week to meet Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV for the first time. The two are expected to di...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 27

WIll Parents Face Charges For Teen Trends? Plus, Chicago Expands CARE Teams

After multiple large gatherings of young people over the weekend, including at 57th St. Beach and North Ave Beach, Ald Brian Hopkins is p...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 26

Will CTA Safety Task Force Make a Difference? Plus, Chicago's Best Inventions

Earlier this month, CTA announced a new transit safety task force and made adjustments to 2025 ridership totals. With ongoing concerns ab...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 22

Tipped Wage Compromise, Lead Pipe Removal Lags, and Del Sur Expands

City Council reached a near-unanimous decision to pause the subminimum wage hike for tipped workers this week. When they voted to free th...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 21

Who Wins Summer in the USA? Chicago Makes Its Case

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran, c...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 20

Pritzker Disses Johnson … Again. Plus, New Northalsted Bar, and Chicago’s Favorite Rivalries

Gov. JB Pritzker voiced support for a mega projects bill that incentivizes the Bears’ move to Arlington Heights, while shading Mayor Bran...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 19

Which Neighborhood Doesn’t Have a Library? Plus, CHA Wait Times and Plover Eggs

Getting into Chicago Housing Authority units is hard enough, but the agency is also processing hundreds of relocation requests for curren...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 18

CPS to Cut Teachers, UChicago Covers Tuition, and Lolla Schedule Drops

Chicago Public Schools are planning to cut teacher positions to minimize the $732 million budget deficit. Meanwhile, CPS CEO Macquline Ki...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 15

What Are Mental Health Courts? Plus, United Center Tax Break and Obama Center Gentrification

Mental health courts have proliferated in Illinois, but how effective are they? Grace Hauck with the Illinois Answers Project joins Justi...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art