SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, northwest Chicago is home to one of the nation's oldest and most prominent Polish settlements; and
WHEREAS, an existing plaza located in the area bounded by the intersection of Ashland Avenue, Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue is at the heart of Chicago's Old Polish Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the surrounding area functioned as the de-facto capital for Polish Americans from the 1870s through the first half of the 20lh century; and
WHEREAS, the headquarters of many major Polish organizations were once clustered within the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, four Polish-language daily newspapers were published in the surrounding area and delivered throughout the United States and to several foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, the surrounding area was once home to multiple polka clubs, Polish-owned banks, Polish bars and pierogi spots; and
WHEREAS, the plaza is still at the center of a large Polish American community in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Polish American businesses and institutions such as the Polish Museum of America, the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, the Chopin Theater and the Podhalanka Polska Restauracja are located in the surrounding area near the plaza; and
WHEREAS, the historically Polish parishes of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Holy Trinity, and St. John Cantius are also located near the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, naming the plaza to reflect this rich historical heritage will pay tribute to the many Polish Americans that have settled and contributed to the City of Chicago over the past 150 years; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
SECTION 1. An honorary designation is hereby conferred upon the aforesaid plaza, which shall hereafter be referred to as the "Polish Triangle".
City Council - City of Chicago City Hall, Room 200 121 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602 Telephone. (312) 744-6102 Fax. (312) 744-0770 RSUAREZ@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG
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