# Honorary street designation as "Honorary Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia Way"

- Record number: **O2026-0028408**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Streets
- Status: In Committee
- Sponsor: [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36th Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Transportation and Public Way](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/transportation-and-public-way)
- Submitted Date: Sep 16, 2026
- Introduction Date: Sep 23, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=B61B9761-0EB2-F111-AAAB-001DD80AA3CC)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/adb3ba26-d6a2-4b18-83f8-1ad40020a74c.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would add the honorary name "Honorary Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia Way" to the east side of Upper Wacker Drive between West Jackson Boulevard and West Adams Street.

**Who it affects**

- **Bangladeshi-American community in Chicago**: The honorary sign would honor former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and recognize ties between Chicago and Bangladesh.
- **People who travel along Upper Wacker Drive near Willis Tower**: They would see honorary street name signs on the east side of the block between Jackson and Adams.
- **Chicago Department of Transportation**: The Commissioner would be directed to take the steps needed to put the honorary name in place.

**What changes**

- Honorary street name signs reading "Honorary Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia Way" would be put up on the east side of Upper Wacker Drive between West Jackson Boulevard and West Adams Street.
- The ordinance does not state any change to the street's official name or to addresses.

**Where**: Upper Wacker Drive (east side); West Jackson Boulevard; West Adams Street; Willis Tower block; 36th Ward

**When**: Upon passage and publication

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B61B9761-0EB2-F111-AAAB-001DD80AA3CC · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt