CHICAGO — As Chicagoans gear up to vote in the fourth annual snowplow naming contest, there appears to be a top contender.
Among over 13,300 submissions to Chicagoshovels.org, “Abolish ICE” made up over 9,200 — or about 70 percent — of the entries, according to a list of submissions obtained through a public records request. The name also got an early nod of approval from Mayor Brandon Johnson last month.
Alongside “Abolish ICE,” other anti-ICE sentiments made up about 79 percent of submissions, including “ICE Breaker,” “ICE Be Gone” and “No More Mr. ICE Guy.”
Submissions for the contest closed Jan. 10. Residents will be able to vote on their favorite of the top 25 names chosen by the city when the contest goes live Feb. 1-14. There will be five winners. Residents can vote here when voting opens up.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV and Bears allusions were also made in droves — approximately 50 each — with standouts including “Pope Frio XIV,” “Da Popemobile,” “Caleb Chilliams” and “Da Cheese Grater” — referencing the football team’s long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
References to “dibs” — the Chicago tradition of placing household objects to claim a shoveled street parking spot — were similarly popular. There were several submissions for “Dibs Destroyer.”
Other Chicago-specific play-on-words include “Snowlort,” “Snoprah Wintry,” “Lower Wacker Ice Attacker” and “Snowldier Field.”
About 50 anti-mayor name ideas were also submitted, including “Snowbody Likes Brandon.”
The top winners of the past three snowplow naming contests were “Bozo the Plown” last year, “Skilling It” in 2024 in honor of beloved retired local weatherman Tom Skilling and Mrs. O’Leary’s Plow in 2023. Find the full list of winners here.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: