Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO, Ill – To honor and promote Polish-American culture and heritage, state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, sponsored a bill to designate portions of Milwaukee Avenue as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor. House Bill 5581 was voted out of the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee on Tuesday, February 15, and will be reported favorably to the House floor. 

“For the past three years, I have made it a priority to help local communities celebrate their unique cultural heritage,” said Ramirez. “Honoring the legacy of Chicago’s Polish communities builds upon this effort and sheds light on this vibrant and thriving community.”

Milwaukee Avenue is a historic state route that has been home to much economic and community development for Polish Americans and immigrants in Chicago. The road connects many of Chicago’s “Polish patches,” which developed as Polish immigration to Chicago increased after the end of the U.S. Civil War. The Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor would begin at Sangamon Street in Chicago and end at Greenwood Road in the Village of Niles.

“Polish Americans and immigrants have made significant contributions to art, music, philosophy, science, and other disciplines. Most importantly, they have helped make Chicago what it is today,” said Ramirez. “I am proud to help honor and celebrate Chicago’s Polish heritage and I look forward to continuing my work with the Polish-American community.”

"We applaud Rep. Ramirez's introduction of HB5581 to designate the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor.” said Bogdan Pukszta, Executive Director of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce. “When enacted, the designation will help spur economic development, tourism, and preservation of the corridor's Polish heritage to share with all."