lake shore drive {december 12, 2022}

Lake Shore Drive, the iconic road with Lake Michigan on one side and downtown Chicago on the other, changed its name last year. 

In June 2021, the Chicago City Council voted to rename Lake Shore Drive in honor of Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, a Black trader who is widely regarded as the founder of Chicago. DuSable is believed to have lived at the mouth of the Chicago River in 1790, and established a trading settlement that led to the formation of Chicago, which then was formally incorporated in March 1837.

The new name would be Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Drive. An uproar ensued and a compromise came about. As part of the compromise, the aldermen approved an ordinance to rename the popular street “Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive.”

Of course there was controversy with the name change. Opponents wanted to protect Lake Shore Drive's tradition and legacy and were concerned that it could cause confusion for commuters along this heavily traveled road. Supporters contend the change was long overdue and a step toward addressing racial injutice.

Chicagoans still call it Lake Shore Drive, the GPS still calls it Lake Shore Drive. Just like the change from the Sears Tower to the Willis Tower, this too will take some time.