Use the form on the right to contact us.
You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL, 60654
312-380-9883
Chicago's honorary brown street signs, days, and commemorative honors; the who, what, where, when and why. Honorary Chicago guide book, maps, biographies, history, trivia, tours, and gifts.
Filtering by Tag: 2023
Leah Herrera was 8-years old when she succumbed to Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a rare form of cancer which produced brain tumors.
South Lamon from West 49th Street to West 50th Street
Ward: 22
Alderman: Michael Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Stickney
b. October 2, 2012
d. August 31, 2021. Age 8
Source
20235974
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/il/chicago/leah-k-herrera-13272644
https://www.gofundme.com/f/b5kz6-leah-strong
Munir Muhammad was the producer of television programs for CROE, the Coalition for the Remembrance of the Honorable Elijiah Muhammad. He joined the Nation of Islam in 1972, co-founded CROE in 1987, and CROE-TV in 1994. For 21 years Munir interviewed political and social figures including: President Barak Obama, Senator Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayors, Illinois Governors, broadcasters, artists, celebrities, and Louis Farrakhan.
He moved to Chicago from Birmingham in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Alum
Wenonah High School, Birmingham, Alabama
West 71st Street between South Artesian Street and South Campbell Street
Ward: 17
Alderman: David Moore
Neighborhood: Chicago Lawn
b. March 27, 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama
d. July 9, 2019. Age 69
near
CROE
2345 71st Street
Sign Dedication: April 2024 at 71st and Artesian
Source
20235836
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/12/20692201/munir-muhammad-dead-croe-obituary-elijah-cable-tv-islam-obama
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/munir-muhammad
https://new.finalcall.com/2024/04/01/street-naming-ceremony-honors-life-work-of-munir-muhammad/
https://chicagocrusader.com/activist-munir-muhammad-dead-at-69/
https://croetv.net/
Titus Allen, Sr.
South Vincennes Avenue between West 82nd Street and West 84th Street
Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham
b. January 2, 1944
d. September 4, 2022. Age 78
Time Out Lounge
8216 S. Vincennes Avenue
Sign Dedication: April 13, 2024
Source
20235640
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243802321/titus-j-allen
Time Out Lounge
Maime Till-Mobley was the mother of Emmitt Till. In 1955 she held an open casket visitation during her son’s funeral. Emmitt was a 14-year old from Chicago, when he was lynched, disfigured, and brutally murdered in Mississippi while visiting relatives. His murderers, who were white, were quickly acquitted. These events drew public outrage and put racism and acts of violence against black people on the world stage when gruesome photos of Emmitt’s body were published in Jet Magazine. Maime became a public figure in the civil rights movement and dedicated her life to justice.
“Let the people see what they did to my boy.”
Maime came to Chicago with her parents as a young child during the Great Migration of African-Americans from the segregated southern states. She was an excellent student, she made the “honor roll” at her high school which was predominantly white. She went on to teach in the Chicago Public schools for 23 years.
She died shortly before the publication of her autobiography, Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America. Maime and Emmitt are both buried in Burr Oaks Cemetery, southwest of Chicago. Their house at 6427 S. Lawrence Street was dedicated as a landmark in 2020, and is now the Emmitt Till and Maime Till-Mobley House Museum. They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022.
Alum
Loyola University (there is a Maime Till Scholarship named in her honor at Loyola)
Chicago Teachers College (Chicago State University)
Argo Community High School
South Wabash Avenue between East 83rd Street and East 85th Street
Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Avalon Park
b. November 23, 1921 in Mississippi
d. January 6, 2003
Maime Till-Mobley Day in Chicago 2021
Maime Till-Mobley Park in Chicago. 6404 S. Ellis Street
Source
20235643
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamie_Till
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Emmett_Till_and_Mamie_Till-Mobley_House_report.pdf
https://www.luc.edu/features/stories/academics/thestoryofemmetttill/#:~:text=When%20Mamie%20Till%20Bradley%20saw,%2C'%20she%20famously%20said.%E2%80%9D
https://www.luc.edu/education/about/alumni/mtm/
https://www.blacksingreen.org/till-house-museum
https://abcnews.go.com/US/emmett-till-mamie-till-mobley-awarded-congressional-gold/story?id=95711344
https://youtu.be/H0gQygAwhkw?si=it-3BcZEb2WaWctY
“Till” Movie Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INlp2fkZto
https://youtu.be/PuPlRvfEjj4?si=G4Q_DkavpJEJOd8v
https://youtu.be/sGWnPaa9qFY?si=TlLkmNaOTXSyESZN
Mother Lula Mae Watson-Williams established the Williams Inn pizzaria and bar in 1969 after having worked at famous Chicago pizza establishments such as Pizzaria Due, Lou Malnati’s, and Gino’s. She was the mother of seven children. Her business offered good food and employment opportunities to the Englewood neighborhood. She also expanded it to include a full-service restaurant and a pool hall.
The original location at 5701 S. Ashland ran for 30 years in the Englewood neighborhood before it burned down. In 2021 a new location opened at 2210 South Michigan Avenue. It is still family owned and operated today.
South Ashland Avenue between 57th Street and 58th Street
Ward: 16
Alderman: Stephanie Coleman
Neighborhood: West Englewood
near
Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar
5701 S. Ashland Ave (original location)
Source
20234791
https://www.williamsinnpizza.com/about-us
https://wgntv.com/news/chicagos-very-own/owner-of-iconic-black-owned-gay-bar-opening-inclusive-pizza-restaurant/
* May 2024 Amended - to “Lula Mae Williams Way” from “Mother Lula May Watson-Williams Way”
Scott Biszewski worked for the Department of Water Management for the City of Chicago, and belonged to Local #150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
South Pulaski Road between West 83th Street and West 84th Street
Ward: 18
Alderman: Derrick Curtis
Neighborhood: Ashburn/Scotsdale
Source
20233850
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/walter-biszewski-obituary?id=17623113
Chief Apostle Dr. Clifford E. Turner, PhD. founded Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church in 1982, and Liberty International Network: 8 Liberty Churches, a Christian TV in 2002, and film production - HolyWood Studios. Outreach includes GED support to residents of public housing and citizens returning from incarceration.
Veteran: Army
South Oakley Avenue between West 79th Street and West 79th Place
Ward: 18
Alderman: Derrick Curtis
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham / Beverly View
b. October 13, 1950 in Chicago
d. January 16, 2018. Age 67
near
Liberty Temple Church
2233 W. 79th Street
Source
20233907
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4296004533762318
https://libertytemple.org/locations/chicago/
https://libertytemple.org/product-category/cet/
https://www.goldengate-funeralhome.com/obituary/4539971
Sergeant Charles Green retired from the Chicago Police department after 42 years of service. He followed a long-standing family tradition of becoming a Chicago Police Officer and serving in the military.
Veteran 1957
Alum
St. Rita High School
South Merrimac Avenue from 5500 to 5600
Ward: 13
Alderman: Marty Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing
b. June 10, 1935
d. March 22, 2022. Age 86
Source
20234020
https://www.parksidechapels.com/obituary/Charles-Green
Shirley J. Newsome led the North Kenwood-Oakland Community Conservation Council and in 1981 was a founding member of the Lake Park-Berkeley-Ellis-Drexel Block Club Association. She moved to prevent redevelopment of the area and into landmark district status. She also served briefly as Alderman of the 4th Ward, after which she was appointed to the Chicago Community Development Commission. In 2006 she retired from 40 years of service in the Federal Courts system.
She moved to the neighborhood in 1978, and was a member of the West Side New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.
Alum
Chicago Teachers College (Chicago State University College of Education)
Marshall High School
South Lake Park Avenue between 41st Street and 42nd Place
Ward: 04
Alderman: Lamont Robinson
Neighborhood: North Kenwood - Oakland
b. August 15, 1945
d. December 25, 2022. Age 77
Sign Dedication: November 11, 2023
Source
20233819
https://www.hpherald.com/news/shirley-newsome-north-kenwood-oakland-community-leader-caretaker-and-alderman-dies-at-77/article_44a8ae8e-8aed-11ed-9ebe-234783c56845.html
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/13/former-kenwood-leader-shirley-newsome-honored-in-street-dedication-ceremony/
https://secc-chicago.org/4th-ward-celebrates-honorary-shirley-j-newsome-way/
Jeannine Janulis was a 65 year resident and active member of the Clearing community. She and her husband, Lem were among the first to build a house in the neighborhood. they raised their 4 children in the house and were volunteers at their schools. Jeannine was also part of the Clearing Civic League and was a member of the Midway Community Choir. in 2005 she was recognized as Senior of the Year by the Chicago Park District.
Jeannine worked as an airline hostess with Trans World Airlines (TWA) out of Midway Airport and was on initial flights to O’Hare Airport when it opened in 1954. After marrying Lem in 1955 she joined him at work at the Continental Can Company. After raising children she returned to the workforce and held administrative support roles in the Chicago Public School until she retired in 1993, after 18 years of service.
Alum
Ste Genevive High School, St. Louis, MO
5900 to 6000 West 63rd Place
Ward: 13
Alderman: Marty Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing
d. Age 93
Dedication ceremony: October 22, 2023
Sign at 63rd and Austin
Source
20232923
https://www.stegenherald.com/2019/12/31/ste-genevieve-native-jeannine-janulis-marks-90th-birthday/
United Baptist Church secured it’s fist building in 1966 and moved to the current location in 1999. It is affiliated with the Union District Baptist Association of Chicago. Reverend Wilson Daniels led the congregation for 44 years.
South Kildare Street between West Roosevelt Road to West Grenshaw Street
Ward: 24
Alderman: Monique Scott
Neighborhood:
near
United Baptist Chuch
4242 W. Roosevelt Road
Source
20232922
https://unitedchi.org/
Private First Class Chrys Carvajal was a member of the National Guard and an aspiring Police Officer. His live was cut short at the age of 19 as a result of gun violence.
Veteran: National Guard
West Grace Street between North Meade Street and North Melvina Street
Ward: 38
Alderman: Nicholas Sposato
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin
d. July 3, 2021. Age 19
Source
20232791
https://news.wttw.com/2022/07/03/family-still-searching-answers-death-19-year-old-national-guardsman
https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/07/07/family-of-slain-portage-park-man-raising-money-to-bury-national-guardsman-chrys-will-be-remembered-as-a-hero/
3725-3759 West 71st Street
Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: Chicago Lawn
b. April 8, 1973 in Acapetlahuaya, Guerrero, Mexico
Source
20232788
Beth Murphy was the owner of Murphy’s Bleachers sports bar at the corner of Sheffield and Wavelend, across the street from right field at Chicago’s famous Wrigley Field baseball stadium. The bar has a rooftop view of Cubs Baseball is popular among, fans, athletes, and musicians who all play at Wrigley.
Beth was active in the Lakeview community among rooftop owners and local businesses; she defended their interests amid the development in and around the iconic baseball stadium. She was the former president of East Lakeview Neighbors, and she led the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser.
The bar was originally Ernie’s Bleachers in the 1930s, In 1965 it became Ray’s Bleachers under new ownership. Beth’s husband, Jim Murphy, bought the bar in 1980 and ran it until his death in 2003. The bar is now owned by the next generation of the family, Brian Murphy.
Her honorary sign was dedicated at the Oktoberfest event in 2023.
Southeast Corner of North Sheffield Avenue and West Waveland Avenue
Ward: 44
Alderman: Bennett Larson
Neighborhood: Lakeview/Wrigleyville
b. 1955
d. 2023. Age 67
near
Murphy’s Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffield
Source
20232741
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/09/14/beth-murphy-murphys-bleachers-late-owner-will-be-honored-with-wrigleyville-street-sign/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/04/24/beth-murphy-the-murphys-bleachers-owner-who-battled-the-chicago-cubs-over-the-wrigleyville-rooftops-dies-at-68/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/beth-murphy-owner-murphys-bleachers-dies/
https://abc7chicago.com/beth-murphy-chicago-obituary-cubs-news/13186851/
Betty Jo Swanson was very involved in the Auburn Gresham community where she volunteered for organizations such as: Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), the Neighborhood Housing Service, 6th District Committees, and the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
Betty Jo moved to Chicago in 1955. Before retiring in 1976, she worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for 27 years. She was a member of the New Friendship Baptist Church.
Alum
Parker High School
8000 South Carpenter Street
Ward: 17
Alderman: David Moore
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham
b. January 22, 1943 in Arkansas
d. January 22, 2023. Age 80
Source
20232360
https://www.gagdc.org/news/3863
https://youtu.be/r2yKRRzwxgg?si=6NpqDunZPkCAKIGE
Gerald “Jerry” Hart was a Chicago Fire Department Communications Supervisor for 34 years.
North Ozark Avenue between West Touhy Avenue and West Lunt Avenue
Ward: 41
Alderman: Anthony Napolitano
Neighborhood: Edison Park
d. March 8, 2021. Age 57
Source
20231229
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/gerald-hart-obituary?id=7265249
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20191678/jerry-hart
Mateo Zastro was 3-years old when his mother’s car was caught in gunfire from a nearby road rage incident. He was the only one of the passengers, including his mother and 3 siblings, who were hit.
South Kildare Avenue between 6800 and 6900
Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: West Lawn
d. September 30, 2022. Age 3
Source
20231203S
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2024/04/01/chicago-police-3-year-old-boy-killed-mateo-zastro-grief-unsolved-slaying-city-hall-west-lawn-crime
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/9/30/23381543/3-year-old-boy-shot-killed-west-lawn-drive-by-marquette-kenneth-mateo-zastro-chicago
Officer Areanah M. Preston had been a Chicago Police Officer for 3 years when she was robbed and murdered outside her home as she returned from a shift. She died days before her graduation from Law School; her diploma was received in a special recognition on the stage at graduation by her family.
Alum
Loyola University
Chicago Police Academy
South Blackstone Avenue between 81st Street and 82nd Street
Ward: 08
Alderman: Michelle Harris
Neighborhood: Avalon Park
b. June 7, 1998
d. May 6, 2023. Age 24
Source
20231215
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/loved-ones-honor-life-of-fallen-cpd-officer-1-year-after-murder/
https://youtu.be/A4MnwKq1-B0?si=dlsWh2gMPIJude71
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oak-lawn-il/areanah-preston-11283050
Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. was the publisher of the Woodlawn Observer, a real estate developer, a community organizer, a professor, and Pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. He worked on local and national political campaigns and provided deep support of the Woodlawn community. In 1969 he was the President of the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority, and was a board member of Chicago Planning Commission.
He moved to Chicago from Mississippi as a child. His father, Leon, Sr., was the namesake owner of the Chicago-famous Leon’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.
Veteran: Marines
Alum
Goddard College
McCormick Theological Seminary
Nova University
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Hyde Park Academy High School
East 63rd Street between South Stony Island Avenue and South Blackstone Avenue
Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: Woodlawn
b. July 7, 1938 in Mississippi
d, September 4, 2020. Age 82
Source
20231659
2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Finney_Jr.
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-dr-leon-d-finney-jr
https://abc7chicago.com/leon-finney-rev-dr-death/6580115/
James W. Cole was known as the “Shoe Shine King.” He gave the community and returning citizens the opportunity to learn the craft, and the personal service of shoe care and repair. He owned and operated Shine King for more than 57 years. Eventually he bought the buiding and rented out other shops to various businesses.
His shoe shine clients included former Mayors and Barak Obama.
He was born in Tennessee and moved to Chicago as a young boy.
Alum
Marshall High School
North Central Avenue between West Fulton Street and West Corcoran Place
Ward: 29
Alderman: Chris Taliaferro
Neighborhood: Austin
d. 2022, Age 78
near
Shine King
338 N. Central Ave
Source
20232094,1675
https://chicagodefender.com/james-cole-the-owner-of-chicagos-shoe-shine-king-dead-at-78/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/18/james-cole-the-west-sides-shoe-shine-king-who-helped-his-neighbors-find-work-dies-at-78/
https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/7/11/23204026/shine-king-founder-james-cole-obituary
https://chicagocrusader.com/west-sides-shine-king-james-cole-dies-at-78/
https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2018/07/11/james-cole-50-years-the-shoe-shine-king/