Statement re Chicago Sister Cities Moscow Relationship

Dated: Tuesday, March 1, 2022

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT 

“In light of recent events and upon reflection over these last few days, I believe that Chicago needs to go further in its definitive actions against Russia. That is why yesterday, I directed World Business Chicago to suspend Chicago’s sister city relationship with Moscow. While this is not a decision I enter into lightly, we must send an unambiguous message: we strongly condemn all actions by the Putin regime. This suspension will be upheld until the end of hostilities against Ukraine and the Putin regime is held accountable for its crimes. We must continue to support freedom-loving people everywhere and ordinary Russians in their desire to be free.”  

STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL FASSNACHT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO 

“Earlier today, World Business Chicago (WBC) sent a letter to the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International informing them of our decision to suspend our relationship with Moscow as one of Chicago’s sister cities. The program started in 1960 under Mayor Richard J. Daley’s administration to promote peace, foster people-to-people connections, and generate mutual respect among people of different nations. WBC takes pride in Chicago’s relationships with its 29 sister cities across the globe. We know that many Russians in Chicago and around the world are not supportive of Putin’s egregious actions against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. This suspension is a strong signal of our support of the Ukrainian people in this time of unimaginable pain and suffering.”