Italo Balbo Archives - Chicago Reader

Ida B. Wells Drive makes Chicago history

It’s the city’s first-ever downtown roadway to honor an African-American woman; the cost is that Balbo’s street name remains intact.

Congress Parkway—not Balbo Drive—will reportedly be renamed for Ida B. Wells, leaving the honors to a “mass murderer” intact.

It would be the first permanent Chicago street renaming in 50 years, officials said.

A plaque explaining the controversial Italian aviator’s legacy could be added to the lakefront memorial, officials said.

Aldermen move forward with an ordinance to remove tributes to Italo Balbo, a henchman of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Also, two bars near Soldier Field are supporting Colin Kaepernick by refusing to show NFL games.

Responding to a campaign to remove tributes to the Mussolini henchman, some Chicagoans defend Italo Balbo’s legacy.

Also, Michael Bloomberg’s super PAC is bankrolling TV and radio ads in support of the soda tax.

What to do with the lakeshore’s crumbing momument to fascism?