A new Illinois law will make parts of Milwaukee Avenue a Polish Heritage Corridor.
The corridor will run from Sangamon Street in Chicago to Greenwood Road in Niles, and highlight Milwaukee Avenue's role in Polish culture for more than 100 years.
Bogdan Pukszta, Executive Director of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes the corridor will also help revitalize businesses along Milwaukee Avenue, especially Polish-American establishments.
“Milwaukee Avenue’s already known among Poles, both in Poland and here,” Pukszta said. “But it will be easier to promote Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, and Polish heritage in Chicago among non-Poles.”
Pukszta said the Polish Heritage Corridor will make it easier to “share our heritage” and wants it to attract visitors from the Chicago area and beyond.
“Not only American out-of-state tourists, but also tourists from Poland, [who] we expect will come to the Chicago area after the pandemic in greater numbers,” Pukszta said. “Milwaukee Avenue will definitely be an attraction for them to visit.”
The state legislation that created the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week, and the designation will become official in January 2023.
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