DOWNTOWN — City crews Tuesday have removed the remaining street signs honoring President-elect Donald Trump outside Trump Tower, officials said.
On Nov. 1 — a week before Trump shocked the world and defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton — the City Council unanimously voted to revoke the honor bestowed on the reality television star in 2006 while the 98-story Trump Tower and Hotel was under construction.
But the signs at Wabash Avenue and Hubbard Street as well as at Wabash Avenue and Illinois Street sat untouched for 36 days, leading to speculation that the plans to take the signs down would be quietly shelved so as to not anger Trump.
Last week, city officials said crews hadn't gotten around to taking down the sign because it wasn't a high priority.
Another sign honoring Trump was stolen Oct. 14, and was not been replaced.
Emanuel, who has vowed to oppose any action by Trump to target undocumented immigrants in Chicago, said much of the city "woke up despondent" the morning after Election Day.
The mood was much different on Oct. 25, when Clinton appeared to be riding high in the polls as the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Public Way met to consider taking down the sign.
Members did not mince words when talking about the man who is set to become the 45th president of the United States, despite losing the popular vote to Clinton by more than 2.2 million votes.
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said it was payback for Trump, who likened Chicago to a "war-torn country" in the first presidential debate Sept. 26.
"When you hit Chicago, Chicago hits back," Beale said.
The president-elect has written in his books and said often that he is driven by revenge and that it is a basic tool he uses in business.
That desire for payback could affect Chicago's ability to get federal approval for redevelopment projects or financing for other projects, such as the proposed extension of the CTA Red Line south to 130th Street.
Representatives of the president-elect did not return messages seeking comment about the honorary street sign.
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