This resolution commemorates the Chicago Cubs’ 150th anniversary, honoring the franchise’s historic legacy, community impact, and enduring contributions to baseball.
Richard Durbin
Senator
IL
This resolution honors the Chicago Cubs on their 150th anniversary, celebrating the franchise's historic contributions to baseball, broadcasting, and the Chicago community. It recognizes the team's legendary players, iconic ballpark, and long-standing commitment to charitable work.
Senate Resolution Marks 150 Years of Chicago Cubs History: A Salute to the 'North Side' Legacy Set for 2026
This resolution is essentially a formal high-five from the Senate to the Chicago Cubs as they approach their 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026. It’s a commemorative document that officially logs the franchise’s journey from its 1876 start as a charter member of the National League into the history books. Beyond just celebrating a birthday, the resolution highlights the team’s massive footprint, noting that over 182 million fans have passed through the gates to watch the North Siders play. It specifically calls out the 2016 World Series win that snapped a 108-year drought, the record-setting 116-win season of 1906, and the sheer volume of stats—more than 103,400 runs and 15,000 home runs—that have defined the team’s century-and-a-half on the field.
More Than Just a Game
The resolution goes beyond the box score to recognize the cultural and economic engine the Cubs provide for Chicago. It highlights Wrigley Field’s status as a National Historic Landmark and the second-oldest active ballpark in the country, framing it as the anchor of the Wrigleyville neighborhood. It also tips its cap to the voices that brought the game into living rooms across the country, citing legendary broadcasters like Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse, and the 7,000-plus games aired by WGN-TV that turned the Cubs into a national brand. For the everyday person, this is a recognition of how a sports team becomes a piece of local identity and a driver for tourism and community pride.
The Impact Beyond the Diamond
While the stats and the ivy-covered walls get the spotlight, the bill also places a heavy emphasis on the Cubs' social impact through Chicago Cubs Charities. The resolution specifically notes that since 2009, the organization has donated more than $51,000,000 to support youth sports and families throughout Chicago and the state of Illinois. By including these figures, the resolution acknowledges that the franchise’s value isn't just measured in wins and losses, but in the tangible financial support provided to local community programs and family services. It’s a straightforward, celebratory measure that honors the past while acknowledging the team's ongoing role in the city’s social fabric.