(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) After what was suspected to be a noose was found outside of what will be former President Barack Obama’s Chicago presidential center, the construction company erecting the building offered $100,000 reward to anyone who found the perpetrator.
Three weeks later, and there are not even any reported suspects, reported by Just the News. The discovery of the rope made headlines in November, with the mainstream media declaring it to be a racist act.
A group of Chicago-based construction companies overseeing the build, known as the Lakeside Alliance, went as far as “suspending all operations onsite” in order to host “anti-bias training.”
Construction shut down for a week while all employees suffered through the training. Construction has resumed and despite the hefty reward money, officials from both Lakeside Alliance and their public relations firm both said they have no updates.
Laura Cooper, a spokeswoman through Chicago communications firm C-Strategies, said she does not “have any updates to share.” The Chicago Police department also declined to comment.
“The Chicago Police Department is aware of this matter and it is still under investigation,” the CPD said via email.
Construction continued after a week of training.
“While Lakeside Alliance understands that no amount of training will lessen the impact of last week’s heinous act,” the consortium said when construction restarted, “we will continue to provide anti-bias, inclusion and belonging training on an ongoing basis to help foster an inclusive work environment.”
The Obama Foundation denounced the noose just after it was discovered.
“This shameless act of cowardice and hate is designed to get attention and divide us,” the foundation told media at the time.
The presidential center, which broke ground in August 2021, is expected to open in 2025.
Marketing from The Obama Foundation indicates that the center will have “a world-class museum and public gathering space,” a library, several gardens and play areas for children.
