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Emanuel Optimistic Chicago Will Land Obama Presidential Library

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Emanuel says he's encouraged about the chances of Chicago being home to the planned Barack Obama Presidential Library.

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports Mayor Emanuel is pleased that two of the four finalists to host Barack Obama's presidential library, the University of Chicago and University of Illinois-Chicago, are in the city.

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He is not voicing a preference but says the chances of the library being here are better than even for some obvious reasons.

"It's a tremendous economic, educational, cultural win for the city of Chicago and the president obviously has deep roots, Michelle has deep roots, he started his political career here. It makes perfect sense for it to be in the city of Chicago and that is my first priority," Emanuel said.

The other potential locations are in Hawaii, the president's birthplace, and New York's Columbia University, his alma mater.

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