Illinois Town Unveils New Sign Designating It ‘Little Palestine’

In Bridgeview, Illinois, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, a special ceremony was held on Tuesday to unveil a new sign recognizing the area as ‘Little Palestine.’

The area has one of the largest Palestinian populations in the country.

During April, designated as Arab American Heritage Month, the Arab-American Business and Professional Association (ABPA) led efforts to make the name more visible. The signs cover a stretch of Harlem Avenue roughly from 79th to 113th Street.

Illinois state resolutions (including HJR46 for “Little Palestine Way” and others) and Cook County actions proclaimed April 7 as “Little Palestine Day” and recognized the area’s contributions.

ABPA’s “Little Palestine Project” aims to promote tourism, verify and highlight Arab-owned businesses, and position the area as an economic and cultural destination.

This is not a full renaming of Bridgeview, but an ‘honorary’ cultural/business district designation on a specific commercial corridor.

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