Obama Center Construction Halts After Noose Is Found

Construction on the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago was stopped Thursday after a noose was found on the site. Chicago police have begun an investigation, and the builder has offered a $100,000 reward for information that helps identify the person responsible for what it called a "shameful act," CBS News reports. "We have zero tolerance for any form of bias or hate on our worksite," said Lakeside Alliance. All employees go through anti-bias training, the builder said, adding that another round of training will be held while construction is shut down for all company staff members and workers.

The Obama Foundation said in a statement that the act of "cowardice and hate is designed to get attention and divide us. Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce." The foundation has said the center is scheduled to open in 2025, per the AP. The project has been slowed by court fights and concerns about area residents being displaced. Groundbreaking finally took place in September 2021. Few issues have been reported since construction began, per WLS-TV. (More Obama Presidential Center stories.)