May 3, 2017

Obama unveils plans for Presidential Center

The plans for the Obama Presidential Center and Library, unveiled Wednesday by Barack and Michelle Obama, recommend shutting down Cornell Drive on Chicago's South Side. The library is set to open in 2021 and expected to cost $500 million to build.

Why it matters: Cornell connects thousands of drivers each day to Lake Shore Drive, Stony Island Boulevard, and the Chicago Skyway, and connects South Siders to downtown Chicago and the Indiana Toll Road. The plan is likely to meet resistance from the Obamas' former neighbors on the South Side.

The motivation to close Cornell: While speaking at the South Shore Cultural Center, Obama said the closure would make Jackson Park, where the OPC will be located, vibrant like Millennium Park and Lincoln Park. It's also about safety:

"Right now you got a 6-lane road cutting right through the middle of the park. The truth is if you have that road, there's only so much you can do. You can't have little kids playing right next to a road. You can't have sledding into the road. You can't walk to the lagoon. You can't go from Stony over to the lagoon. Because there's no place to cross the street."

About additional traffic: He said his team did traffic studies, consulted with both the Illinois and the city departments of transportation. "We are now confident that we will not be adding to commute times as a consequence of Cornell" closing. "It will require modest mitigation efforts." Obama said there should be efforts to reroute traffic through Stony and 59th Street.

Go deeper

Caitlin Owens

Coronavirus stress tests drug industry's dependence on China

A Hong Kong commuter wears a face mask. Photo: Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

It's unclear whether the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus will actually result in prescription drug shortages, but it has undoubtedly highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of having the supply chain for American drugs so dependent on China.

Driving the news: About 150 prescription drugs — including antibiotics, generics and some branded drugs without alternatives — are at risk of shortage if the coronavirus outbreak in China worsens, per two sources familiar with a list of at-risk drugs compiled by the Food and Drug Administration.

Go deeper50 mins ago - Health

Jim VandeHei

Bernie's path to the presidency

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks yesterday during a rally at Houston University. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Lots of Democrats are in full panic that Bernie Sanders will win the nomination and get clobbered in the general election — and bring the party down, too. But the evidence, particularly the polling, doesn't back those doomsday warnings.

Why it matters: Virtually every national and swing state poll shows Sanders tied with or beating President Trump. And, unlike every rival, he has a huge base of fervent, unshakable supporters he can only grow.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Amy Harder

These swing voters don't like Trump’s environmental rollbacks

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Swing voters in four battleground states decisively oppose President Trump’s sweeping rollbacks of environmental regulations — but it’s unlikely to sway their votes.

Why it matters: It’s voters living in states like these, including Florida and Pennsylvania, who fill pivotal roles electing America’s presidents, so we should listen.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Energy & Environment