Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) Marker

Inscription. "I can honestly say Lori was one of the people I most enjoyed working with in my career. She was a consummate pro—tough, but fair, tireless, full of integrity and graceful under pressure."
President Obama

A planner, strategist, and trusted civic leader, Lori Healey spent her life turning bold ideas into lasting public spaces. Her leadership touched countless corners of Chicago, but her work on the Obama Presidential Center carried special meaning: a project designed to inspire and empower communities for generations to come. Friends and colleagues knew her as a force of nature: endlessly capable, deeply caring, a devoted mentor, and fiercely committed to the city she loved.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 41° 47.228′ N, 87° 35.16′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It is on South Stony Island Avenue

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south of South Cornell Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in the Women's Garden on the grounds of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6001 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Jackson Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Boulevard System (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (within shouting distance of this marker); Alison Saar, b. 1956 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow (within shouting distance of

Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) Marker in the Women's Garden at the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) Marker in the Women's Garden at the Obama Center

this marker); The First Automobile Race in America (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025). Lori Healey was an urban planner who served as chief of staff under Chicago's long-time mayor, Richard M. Daley. In 2020, she was hired by the Obama Foundation to oversee the construction of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. She died of pancreatic cancer on May 3, 2025. The Obama Center opened in June of 2026.

Also see . . . Lori Healey, former McPier CEO and Daley chief of staff, dies at 65. The Chicago Sun-Times writes about Healey's death in May 2025.

Subhead: “Former Mayor Richard M. Daley called Lori Healey 'a brilliant leader whose tireless spirit and deep commitment to public service set her apart.' She oversaw development of Wintrust Arena, the Marriott Marquis Chicago and most recently the Obama Presidential Center.”

(Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

View of the Obama Center near the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. View of the Obama Center near the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.