Photo of the Day: Douglas Park to be renamed

By Jared Treece, Staff Photographer
September 18, 2020

The Springfield Park District in Springfield, IL has decided to rename Douglas Park due to the name being after the late Sen. Stephen Douglas. Stephen Douglas became a senator in the late 1840’s and remained in office until his death in 1861. Monuments and other properties that share his name and/or the likeness in Illinois, have been under review because of Douglas’ connections and profiting off of slavery. The Springfield Park District voted 7-0 in favor of the change on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. In the past month, officials at the Illinois State Capitol building have also decided to take down the Stephen Douglas statue that currently resides on the east side of the building on the capitol grounds. The removal process of the statue is already underway. This photo was taken on Sunday, Apr. 5, 2020 in Springfield, IL. (Jared Treece | @bisalo)

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