Politics & Government

'Mandela Road' to Replace Cicero? Rep. Ford Proposes Change

Local Rep. LaShawn Ford proposes change to the 66-mile road to honor the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

Oak Park's State Rep. LaShawn Ford is proposing to rename Cicero Avenue to honor the late South African President Nelson Mandela, according to a news release from Ford's office.

"President Nelson Mandela is an inspiration to many and has been an example during our own lifetimes of the power of love, reconciliation and non-violent resistance, following the line of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," Ford said in a statement. "It is a small gesture to change the name of a road from Cicero Avenue to Mandela Road, but it will help us to remember that even with Nelson Mandela's death, we must continue to drive for excellence for the whole human race." 

Ford added Cicero would be a perfect route to rename in Mandela's honor because of its presence in multiple communities, spanning 66 miles from West Kankakee to Skokie, according to the release. 

Information courtesy of a news release from Rep. LaShawn Ford's office. 


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