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Chicago is 'the Right Place' for Obama's Library, Rahm Emanuel Says

By Erica Demarest | January 28, 2014 2:35pm
 Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at a news conference at the Instituto del Progreso Latino, 2520 S. Western Ave.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at a news conference at the Instituto del Progreso Latino, 2520 S. Western Ave.
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DNAinfo/Erica Demarest

HEART OF CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday he's working to bring President Barack Obama's library and museum to Chicago.

"I'm going to make sure the city is well positioned. That's my role as mayor," Emanuel said at a news conference at the Instituto del Progreso Latino, 2520 S. Western Ave.

“President Clinton has his in Arkansas. Both Bushes in Texas. President Lincoln has his in Springfield, Ill. ... I believe Chicago is the right place for President Obama to have his presidential library. He started his career here.”

Emanuel offered no specifics on his plan or a possible location, though he did tout Chicago's "many institutes of higher learning."

The University of Chicago is considered by many to be a front-runner. Obama taught law at the South Side university before entering politics.

Other places — including Chicago State University and the Pullman and Bronzeville neighborhoods, plus New York and Obama's home state of Hawaii — have also thrown their names in the ring.

A Tribune report claimed the city would submit one unified proposal. While Emanuel did not address those claims Tuesday, he did say: "We, as a city, are going to make sure it's the right place to put it."