The Barack Obama Foundation announced four finalists in the bid to host President Barack Obama’s presidential library.
The University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago made the list, along with Columbia University in New York, and University of Hawai’i.
The local finalists beat bids from Chicago State University, a local a real estate developer and a smaller bid from the Bronzeville neighborhood.
The University of Chicago wants to build the library in a neighboring community on the South Side, but not on its Hyde Park campus. Meanwhile UIC is proposing three sites, two on campus and one in the North Lawndale community.
The finalists have until early December to respond to the foundation’s request for proposals. After that, the group will recommend sites to the president and first lady.
