The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tribute as showing respect or affection for someone. Whoever thought renaming Chicago’s notorious Circle Interchange for former Mayor Jane Byrne clearly couldn’t respect or admire Byrne. One of the worst intersections in the country, the Circle Interchange represents mind-bogging congestion, accidents left and right and traffic delays 24/7. What an insult!
Driving through and seeing the Jane Byrne Interchange signs and hearing the traffic reporters on the radio refer to it as such were terrible. Bill Savage, a distinguished senior lecturer in English at Northwestern University, wrote a terrific (and funny) piece on the outrage for Crain’s Chicago Business. You can find it here. Bill Savage is @RogersParkMan