What does Chicago think of Obama?

Barack Obama was elected on 4 November 2008 after a campaign that promised change. One year on, Newsbeat's travelled across the country to find out how people feel in Obama's America. In the third of five reports, Jonathan Blake travels to Chicago to hear from people in his home town.

Jonathan Briggs and his dad Odel agree that Obama's doing a good job

Monique Rose can explain why she voted for Barack Obama in one word, "Change".

That is what she, as a 28-year-old mother of two, hoped for and expected when her neighbourhood's most famous resident was elected.

"I know it's going to take some time, it's not going to happen overnight but I think he can do it," she said.

The 'c' word was of course Obama's campaign slogan and the reason many people here and across the country voted for him.

Home support

One year on, reminders that the new president once lived and worked in this neighbourhood when he was a young man are everywhere.

Barack Obama's influence looms large in his home town Chicago

There are pictures in shop windows, bumper stickers on cars and 'President Obama's Favourites' are still selling well in Valois cafeteria.

Tom Cranopolis, the manager, confirms it is Barack Obama's favourite breakfast joint, but he hasn't seen the president recently.

"He's a little busy, but they came in for takeouts during the campaign," he said.

Tucking into turkey sausages and hash browns, Jonathan Briggs says he is happy with the job Barack Obama is doing.

"For the most part I think he has lived up to my expectations," he said.

'Surreal' victory

He was a first-time voter and can remember how he felt the day that Barack Obama won the election.

"It was a day filled with hope. I didn't really expect that he would win but it was surreal to see that he did."

"There was definitely a lot of support. I didn't know anyone who was voting for the other candidate," he said.

Jonathan's dad, Odel Briggs, agrees that Obama is doing a good job.

"I think he has the entire nation's best interests at heart and he's trying to work for all the people," he said.

If there is anywhere in the US that Barack Obama can count on for support it is in Chicago, his home city.

'Let down'

But 37% of voters in the state of Illinois did not vote for Obama.

Krastan Artis says things have gone back to the way they were

And 12 months on some, like local resident Krastan Artis, are still not convinced he is the right man for the job.

"I think some people do feel let down," he said.

He says Barack Obama's policies are nothing new.

"I call it Bush light. We're still in Iraq, we're still in Afghanistan, he's bailed out the banks and they're going back to doing the same things they did before," he added.

Some may feel let down but most Obama supporters are happy to wait for change.

Back at Valois cafeteria, Jenai, 39, says there is already evidence of change under Obama.

"I think the economy is doing a lot better than it was than under the Bush administration," she said.

Whilst people disagree about whether the president's policies are bringing change, many like Jenai are confident that it will come.

"A lot of it has to do with the belief and knowing that tomorrow is going to be a little bit brighter," she added.

Read about how Barack Obama's foreign policy is affecting US families