Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to use parkland as a site for Barack Obama's presidential library received a boost with approval from the Chicago Park District.
The University of Chicago's bid for the library depends on using land in either Jackson Park or Washington Park on the city's South Side.
The Chicago Park District voted unanimously Wednesday to transfer 20 acres in either park to the city for the library.
The proposed use of park land has generated opposition due to fears it could open the door for more land acquisitions that could chop away at park district land.
The University of Chicago is competing with the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University in New York, and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu to host the Obama library.
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