Will County Board Backs Effort to Rename ‘Stigmatizing’ Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Board has thrown its support behind a regional effort to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, passing a resolution that backs a campaign to remove the “stigmatizing” term “Sanitary” from the waterway’s official title. The initiative, led by the Friends of the Chicago River, argues the current name is outdated and fails to reflect decades of investment in water quality and ecological restoration.

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Key Points:

• The Will County Board Executive Committee voted 10-1 to support renaming the historic waterway.

• The effort seeks to remove the word “Sanitary” to better represent the canal’s modern role as a corridor for recreation and commerce.

• Will County’s support is considered vital as a large portion of the 28-mile canal flows through its jurisdiction.

• The coalition will formally petition the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for the change.

JOLIET, IL – The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, October 9, 2025, formally endorsed a campaign to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, a waterway that played a crucial role in the region’s history but carries what supporters call an outdated and “stigmatizing” name.

On a 10-1 vote, the committee approved a resolution backing the “Redefining the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Coalition,” an effort led by groups including the Friends of the Chicago River. The campaign’s primary goal is to remove the word “Sanitary” from the canal’s name to reflect its transformation from a purely industrial and public health channel into a corridor for ecological renewal and economic opportunity.

“It’s just not a very appealing name,” said board member Jacqueline Traynere, who brought the proposal to the committee. She explained that after decades of investment, the canal’s water quality and habitat have significantly improved, and its name should reflect its current value. “They are looking for support from Will County specifically because a large portion of that canal goes through our county.”

The resolution states that the board is “proud to join this coalition” and is “committed to ensuring that the canal’s identity honors its historic importance while reflecting the healthier and more resilient waterway it has become.”

The coalition has not yet decided on a new name but is leading a formal process with public input. The next step will be to submit a proposal to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the federal body responsible for official place names.