The statue displays Lincoln as he appeared when visiting Chicago for various speeches and events such as the River and Harbor Convention or when meeting Vice President-elect Hannibal Hamlin to discuss the organization of his Cabinet.

The committee decided to organize a nationwide contest, allowing individuals to submit designs and ideas for the new statue.

[2][3] The statue was originally placed in the street at the intersections of Lincoln, Lawrence, and Western Avenues in a triangular traffic island.

[2] Late in 1978 or early in 1979, the statue was moved approximately 50 feet east to its present location, which is at, but no longer in, the redesigned intersection of Lawrence and Western Avenues: it now sits in front of a local Walgreens.

[7] The podium in the statue was planned based on Fairbanks' review of common photographs of Lincoln during his presidential campaign.