CHICAGO – To recognize the ways Polish culture has influenced Chicago, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) spearheaded a new law to designate Milwaukee Avenue from Sangamon Street in Chicago to Greenwood Road in Niles as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor.
“Designating this area is a great way to promote Chicago Polish businesses while also recognizing their impact on the culture, food and art in our city,” Pacione-Zayas said. “This law is just one way to highlight the importance of Polish culture, and I look forward to highlighting additional ways to recognize the unique cultural diversity of Chicago.”
Under House Bill 5581, a section of Milwaukee Avenue will be recognized under the Illinois Department of Transportation as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor.
Last year, Sen. Pacione-Zayas, along with House Assistant Majority Leader Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) passed a law to allow the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate cultural districts to help affirm the identity of communities in Illinois. The new law signed last week provides a stepping stone for this community to be designated in this way.
"We commend Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Leader Delia Ramirez for their efforts as sponsors of HB 5581 to designate and establish the Milwaukee Ave Polish Heritage Corridor,” said Bogdan Pukszta, Executive Director of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce, which resides in the district Pacione-Zayas represents. “From our Chamber's perspective the designation will help promote existing businesses along the corridor, attract new businesses to fill empty storefronts, and position Milwaukee Avenue on the map of Chicago's tourist attractions."
HB 5581 was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday. A celebration of the new law will be held Thursday, June 16 at 2 p.m. at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Press and other organizations are encouraged to register for the celebration here.