Noose Found At Obama Presidential Center Construction Site In Chicago

CHICAGO — Construction work has been halted temporarily at the building site of the Obama Presidential Center and Library after officials from the company overseeing the project said a noose was found at the worksite near Chicago’s Jackson Park on Thursday.

Lakeside Alliance, the company that is building the library, announced on Thursday that they were informed of “an act of hate” that was discovered at the construction site. The statement did not indicate many details about the incident, which has been turned over to authorities.

Company officials said that work at the site has been suspended. Lakeside Alliance also said it is offering a $100,000 reward to help locate anyone who was involved in the matter.

The company statement also said officials have “zero tolerance” for any form of bias or hate on its worksite. The company said that while anti-bias is provided as part of its onboarding process for new employees and then reiterated, another round of training will be offered while work is suspended.

The Obama Foundation on Thursday called the act “shameless” and said the incident is “an act of cowardice and hate that is designed to get attention and divide us.”

Foundation officials said that its priority is the health and safety of workers at the site and that they are cooperating with local law enforcement.

Work on the project began last year with former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama present for the dedication and ground-breaking ceremonies. When the project is finished, it will include a large museum building and a Chicago Public Library branch as well as a large greenspace that connects the grounds to the rest of Jackson Park.