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Take Trump's Street Sign Down As Soon As Possible, Aldermen Say

By Heather Cherone | November 1, 2016 11:31am | Updated on November 2, 2016 10:45am
 Last remaining street sign honoring Donald Trump should be taken down right away, the City Council voted Tuesday.
Last remaining street sign honoring Donald Trump should be taken down right away, the City Council voted Tuesday.
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DNAinfo/David Matthews

CITY HALL — The remaining street sign honoring developer-turned-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be taken down as soon as possible, the City Council ordered Tuesday.

Trump likened Chicago to a "war-torn country" in the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, earning the scorn of the council — made up of 49 Democrats eager to deal a blow to the opponent of their party's presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton.

There are two brown honorary street signs outside Trump Tower proclaiming north Wabash Avenue Trump Plaza. One was stolen Oct. 14, police said.

There was no debate on the measure Tuesday.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) introduced the measure to revoke the honor for Trump because his comments as a presidential campaign have "insulted anyone like me who loves this city". Reilly, who told DNAinfo in August that removing the sign was not even a "top 100" priority for him, reversed course after months of Trump controversies.

Reilly said Trump's "caricature" of Chicago as a violence-plagued hot bed of election fraud bore little resemblance to the city's reality, where he said investment is surging and tourists are flocking.

Just as damaging has been Trump's repeated denigration of women, minorities and political opponents, Reilly said.

"This is an honor Trump has proven he does not deserve," Reilly said, adding that he will return $5,500 in campaign contributions the New York developer gave him several years ago on Nov. 9 — a day after the presidential election.

The signs were erected in 2006 while the 98-story high-rise was under construction.

Trump representatives did not return messages seeking comment.

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