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The Process for
Redefining the Canal
To officially change the name of a waterbody such as the Chicago Sanitary and Canal, a widely supported application must be made to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names.
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Upon receipt of a proposal to change the name of a natural feature the Board states that all interested parties will be asked to comment and that they will make a decision after Tribal, county, and local governments; State Geographic Names Authority; and appropriate land management agencies have had an opportunity to provide recommendations.
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In partnership with U.S. Representative Bill Foster, Friends of the Chicago River is coordinating a coalition of partners who are gathering support from our senators, five members of the U.S House of Representatives, the presidents and boards of three counties, and leadership from the 13 municipalities through which the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal flows. Activities planned in the coming months to support the launch of this initiative:
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Gathering a group of cultural, community, geographical, historical experts to form a Naming Committee, who will lead brainstorming of potential themes and approaches for renaming the canal
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Public outreach through surveys, meetings, and tabling to gather input, stories and ideas for the canal
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A public movement launch event, planned for September 2025, to showcase the work of the Naming Committee
