Chicago Snowplow Naming Contest Sparks Controversy with 'Abolish ICE' Winner

The city's annual snowplow naming contest produced a politically-charged top choice, drawing mixed reactions.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:18pm

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In Chicago's annual 'You Name a Snowplow' contest, the winning entry of 'Abolish ICE' has sparked controversy. The protest slogan, which also references the city's ongoing battles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), received the most votes from residents. Other winning names include tributes to pop culture figures and the new Pope. While the city celebrates the record-breaking participation, the politically-charged top choice has drawn both praise and criticism.

Why it matters

The snowplow naming contest has become a lighthearted annual tradition in Chicago, but this year's top vote-getter injects a political statement into the process. The 'Abolish ICE' name reflects the city's tense relationship with the federal immigration agency following a major crackdown operation last fall, underscoring the deep divisions over immigration policy in the community.

The details

The 'Abolish ICE' snowplow name was the clear winner in the city's contest, which received a record 13,300 submissions and 39,000 final votes. Other winning names include tributes to figures like Stephen Colbert, Dolly Parton, and the new Chicago-born Pope. While the city celebrates the high participation, the politically-charged top choice has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the creative protest and others criticizing the politicization of the lighthearted tradition.

  • The 'You Name a Snowplow' contest was held in early 2026.
  • In September 2025, ICE conducted a major crackdown operation in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, resulting in over 4,000 arrests.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who thanked voters for their 'unmatched creativity, sense of humor, and civic pride' in the snowplow naming contest.

Department of Streets and Sanitation

The city department that maintains 300 snowplows to clear 9,400 miles of streets in Chicago.

Ryan Gage

A spokesperson for the Department of Streets and Sanitation who explained the contest process.

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What they’re saying

“The people of Chicago clearly have no issue with the name of this snowplow.”

— Ryan Gage, Spokesperson, Department of Streets and Sanitation (taylorvilledailynews.com)

What’s next

The city has not indicated any plans to change or remove the 'Abolish ICE' snowplow name, despite the potential controversy.

The takeaway

Chicago's snowplow naming contest has become a creative outlet for residents to express their political views, with the 'Abolish ICE' winner reflecting the deep divisions in the city over immigration enforcement. The contest highlights how even lighthearted civic traditions can become platforms for making bold statements on important issues.