Illinois residents to receive free entry to Obama Presidential Center Museum weekly

When the Obama Presidential Center opens to visitors this summer, Illinois residents will be able to visit for free each week.

As part of the Illinois Free Days program, residents will receive free admission to the Presidential Center Museum every Tuesday. The Obama Foundation, which operates the center, strongly encourages visitors to reserve tickets in advance, noting high demand is expected and capacity limits will remain the same as all other days.

According to the center’s website, free day tickets will go on sale in May, when general ticket sales begin.

Residents must present a current Illinois driver’s license, state ID or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency, according to the Obama Foundation’s website.

Those without an Illinois ID card can establish residency by providing a valid photo ID and one of the following:

• Illinois lease

• Illinois library card

• Illinois student ID with photo

• Illinois utility bill

• Illinois work ID and check stub

Illinois residents who visit on other days will pay a discounted price of $26 for adults and $15 for children ages three to 11 years.

Below is the pricing for those who reside outside Illinois:

• Adult (Ages 12+) — $30

• Child (Ages 3–11) — $23

• Children 2 and under — Free

The Obama Foundation announced Monday that tickets to the museum will go on sale in early May, with members of the public able to purchase tickets as early as May 6.

The sprawling presidential center, which sits on a 19.3 acre site on Chicago’s South Side and includes a museum, Chicago Public Library branch and a full-size basketball court, is set to open to the public June 19.