Chicago Rep. Quigley advances bill to recognize ‘City of New Orleans’ songwriter

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) wants to show some love to a native
Chicagoan, songwriter Steve Goodman, by naming a post office after him.

But Goodman’s most famous song is “City of New Orleans.”

{mosads}Folk singer Arlo Guthrie recorded the hit in 1972, and it later became a No. 1 country music hit for Willie Nelson in 1985.

But unbeknownst to many, Goodman also wrote the Chicago Cubs’ theme song, “Go Cubs, Go,” before he died of leukemia at age 36.

Following a victorious Cubs home opener, Quigley announced Wednesday that a measure to name a Chicago post office after Goodman advanced out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a unanimous vote, and will move on to a full vote by the House.

“While most Chicagoans know him for the song we sing after every Cubs win, Steve Goodman’s … short but tremendous life reminds us how one person can impact so many others,” Quigley said in a statement Wednesday.

 Goodman was a lifelong Cubs fan, and at his request, his ashes were spread over Wrigley Field.