Chicago Residents Vote to Name Snowplow ‘Abolish ICE’ in Annual Contest

Chicago voters selected 'Abolish ICE' as the winning name in the city's annual snowplow naming contest, combining a clever winter pun with political protest. The double-meaning name references both ice removal and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following recent federal raids in the area.

Chicago residents have chosen politics alongside practicality in their city’s yearly snowplow naming competition, selecting ‘Abolish ICE’ as this year’s top choice.

The winning entry in Chicago’s fourth annual ‘You Name a Snowplow’ contest cleverly combines winter weather terminology with a pointed political message aimed at President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The selection comes after Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted extensive operations in Chicago and surrounding areas last fall.

Starting in September, the federal initiative called ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ led to over 4,000 detentions, included a deadly shooting incident, and created significant tension between federal authorities and Chicago’s Democratic leadership, especially within the city’s substantial immigrant communities. Even during harsh winter conditions, ‘ICE Out’ demonstrations have persisted in downtown Chicago, around federal facilities, and across suburban areas.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed appreciation to Chicago residents in an official statement, praising their ‘unmatched creativity, sense of humor, and civic pride.’

When questioned about potential controversy surrounding the chosen name, a city representative noted that ‘Abolish ICE’ won by a significant margin, stating, ‘The people of Chicago clearly have no issue with the name of this snowplow.’

Officials from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security were contacted for their response to the naming decision.

While numerous cities hold similar snowplow naming competitions, Chicago’s winning selection stands out for its political edge. Other municipalities have chosen less controversial options, such as Nashville’s ‘Dolly Plowton’ honoring country star Dolly Parton, and Minnesota’s ‘Taylor Drift’ celebrating pop icon Taylor Swift.

Chicago voters also selected several lighter-hearted names during the competition. Winners included ‘Stephen Coldbert,’ referencing late-night television host Stephen Colbert, and ‘Pope Frio XIV,’ incorporating the Spanish term for cold while honoring Chicago-born Pope Leo.

Additional winning names featured ‘Blizzard of Oz,’ ‘Svencoolie’ as a tribute to local television horror personality Svengoolie, and ‘Caleb Chilliams’ celebrating quarterback Williams, who recently guided the Bears to their first playoff appearance in fifteen years.

Johnson noted that he and the Department of Streets and Sanitation were ‘grateful and inspired by the record-breaking participation in the contest this year.’ The competition attracted 13,300 name submissions and generated 39,000 votes during the final selection process. The department operates 300 vehicles to maintain 9,400 miles of city streets during winter weather.

According to Ryan Gage, spokesperson for Streets and Sanitation, the competition followed the same format used in previous years. Citizens submit suggestions through the Chicago Shovels website using a survey application for both preliminary and final voting rounds.

Department staff members evaluate all submissions and select finalists, which then go to the mayor’s office for ultimate approval, Gage explained.