April 15, 2026

Many hope the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park will provide a boost to the local economy when it opens this summer. It is part presidential museum, complete with a full-scale Oval Office replica; part athletic and community centre including an NBA-sized basketball court; and part incubator for civic activism. Bittner predicts a 10-year economic impact of $3.1bn on local Cook County businesses.

Professor Steven Durlauf comments on why the Obama Center's 'trickle-down' economic effects may still not be enough to reverse long-term South Side disinvestment.

I don’t think any one entity can erase decades of disinvestment. The remedies for breaking the perfect storm of disadvantage in the area require something more than ‘trickle down’” benefits from the Obama centre. However, it will have some marginal effect.

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A photo of Steven Durlauf
Faculty Spotlight

Steven Durlauf
Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor

Steven Durlauf’s research spans many topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. His most important substantive contributions involve the areas of poverty, inequality and economic growth.