Leo Louchios

Leo Louchios was the founder of the Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation. He also served as a Senior Advisor at the State of Illinois to the Secretary of State Office.

---

Honorary Leo Louchios Way

North Halsted Street between West Van Buren Street and West Adams street

 

Approved: July 2024

Ward: 34
Alderman: Bill Conway
Neighborhood: West Loop

b. December 10, 1956 in Cyprus
d. August 3, 2023. Age 66

Dedicated: September 5, 2024
for the opening of the Taste of Greektown Festival

---

Source

202410008

https://www.colonialfuneral.com/obituaries/Leo-C-Louchios?obId=28622051

https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/8/9/23826233/leo-louchios-greektown-adviser-jesse-white-alexi-giannoulias

Verlean Perkins

Verlean Perkins was a dedicated member of her community, education, and children. She wasa life long Chicagoan. For 30 years Verlean worked for the Board of Education and was a 15 year contributor to the summer food programs, and a dependable poll worker. She was the chairperson and 20 year volunteer of the Chicago Academic Games League.

She was a “mom” to the neighborhood children and was known as the “Apple Woman” to all who lived near her.

Alumni:
Chicago Public Schools

Member of the Apostolic Church of God

---

Honorary Verlean Perkins Avenue

6100-6246 South Wabash Avenue

 

Approved: June 2024

Ward: 20
Alderman: Jeannette Taylor
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

b. April 9, 1934 in Chicago

near
her home

---

Source

20249171

Disability Pride Parade

The first Disability Pride Parade in the US was held July 2004 in Chicago, 14-years following the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush. In March 1990 activists had raised awareness for disability access by hosting the Capitol Crawl, where disabled persons crawled up the Capitol steps in Washington DC. Boston was the first city to hold a Disability Pride Day the same year, 1990.

Disability Pride Month began in July 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA.

The Disability Pride Flag was designed and re-released in 2021 for use in the Public Domain by Ann McGill; it represents the diverse range of impairments, seen and unseen, and the obstacles to be overcome by disabled persons in society and the world.

---

Honorary Disability Pride Parade Way

South Plymouth Court and West Van Buren Street

 

Approved: 2012

Neighborhood: Loop

near
The parade route for the annual Disability Pride Parade 401 S. Plymouth

---

Source

https://www.disabilityprideparade.org/

https://www.disabilityprideparade.org/2024-parade-information.html

https://youtu.be/OJkbwyaEUX4?si=PGCLGZm53wTwwX5O

https://www.weinberg.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/history-disability-pride-flag

https://www.ameridisability.com/how-to-display-disability-pride/#:~:text=The%20first%20'Disability%20Pride%20Day,and%20Madison%2C%20among%20other%20locations.

Colleen J. Flood

Colleen J. Flood was the owner of the Four Treys Tavern and helped to establish the neighborhood of Roscoe Village. She also initiated the “Retro on Roscoe” Festival and Car Show, as well as Winterfest and the Halloween Parade. She moved to Roscoe Village in 1979 and opened a beauty salon. Over the years she bought additional buildings and rental units in the area and established it as a family friendly and dog friendly neighborhood.

Alum
Carl Schurz High School (Chicago)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FourTreys (@fourtreys)

---

Honorary Colleen J. Flood WAY

North Damen Avenue between West Henderson Street and West Roscoe Street

 

Approved: May 2024

Ward: 32
Alderman: Scott Waguespack
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

b. August 22, 1944
d. September 19, 2023. Age 79

near
Four Treys Tavern
3333 N. Damen

---

Source

20248766

https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/10/13/23916149/colleen-flood-owner-of-the-four-treys-tavern-who-helped-revitalize-roscoe-village-dead-at-79

https://www.facebook.com/fourtreys/

https://www.instagram.com/fourtreys/

Carmelito Llapitan

Carmelito Llapitan, was one of the founders of the Filipino National Council of Chicago (FNCC) in 1953. It quickly became the cultural heritage center and a place for social advocacy and public policy. It was involved in the landmark legislation including the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Illinois Human Rights Act (1979). Since 1997 the organization has been called the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC).

In 1974, he was among the Chicago Filipino community leaders who purchased the current building, which is now the Rizal Center, from the Swedish-American Orphei Singing Group.

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Honorary Carmelito Llapitan CT

1300 West Irving park Road at North Wayne Street

 

Approved:

Neighborhood: Graceland West/Lakeview

near
Rizal Center
1322 W. Irving Park Road

Rededicated March 31, 2019

---

Source

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/fahschicago/187/8g8gz77/

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/fahschicago/187/nk37m3g/

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/451.html

http://www.viatimes.net/oct2020issue/?p=91

https://rizalcenter.org/about/who-we-are/

https://www.facebook.com/rizal.center/photos/a.1494976717383633/2624587554422538/?type=3&paipv=0&eav=AfaYZtMiGmvm3KURCszlxoFd_NpZKQQ6W2iEmBE-z66dN3csBtCoO5R0baKOuopjOmg&_rdr

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/browse/bioL.html.

WOOGMS

The Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (Woogms) has been hosting a neighborhood parade every Memorial Day and Labor Day since 1963. It continues to be hosted by local residents and features the Jesse White Tumblers and Drum Corps. Everyone participates in the parade by walking seven blocks with flags, family, kids, pets, bikes, and scooters.

The tagline of the parade is “Everyone marches, nobody watches!”
…except for the 2020 Memorial Day Woogms Parade, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when “nobody marched, everyone watched.”

---

Honorary Woogms alley

North Pine Grove Avenue between West Oakdale Avenue and West Wellington Avenue

 

Approved:

Ward: 44

Neighborhood: Lakeview

near
The starting point of the Woogms Parade

---

Source

https://www.facebook.com/Woogms

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cSD4IyhIk/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://youtu.be/cfM0Yk8JcKw?si=pucgFV-PeXLstoCe

https://www.youtube.com/live/ME0JwesEIuo?si=4RKln5mOtdf5FZeJ

Honorary Chicago Guidebook, Second Edition, Michigan Avenue and Beyond

Keith O. Tate

Keith O. Tate was a leader of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) for more than 20 years. A community organization dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors through education, housing, and business. He also worked at the University of Illinois Medical Center for 25 years, and also Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Gary, Indiana.

CAPCC was co-founded in 1955 by Elwin Tate, who brought Keith to meetings and had him involved from a young age. In 1987 hundreds of residents were joined by Mayor Harold Washington in Cole Park to support a community development initiative which succeeded in raising money to buy and revitalize vacant properties; the event was featured on the television news program 60 Minutes. Through the years CAPCC attracted national retailers and black owned movie theaters to the community.

Alum
Colorado State University
Hales Franciscan High School
St. Dorothy Elementary School

---

Honorary Keith O. Tate Memorial WAY

East 79th Street between South Rhodes Avenue and South Lawrence Avenue

 

Approved: April 2024

Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. April 14, 1949
d. December 17, 2018. Age 69

---

Source

20247805

https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2019/feb/20/keith-ovid-tate-shining-star-greater-chatham-commu/

Coleman Brothers

Coleman Brothers barbershops have been a fixture in the community for generations. The Colemans were father figures and older brothers to the neighborhood. They helped youth stay in school, pursue careers, and take care of family.

The brothers arrived in Chicago from Alabama in 1955 as part of the Great Migration of African-Americans from the southern states.

There were two locations:

• 63rd and Dorchester (Stephen and Ernest) closed

• 68th and Stony Island (est. 1963. James and Richard)

Through the years families as well as celebrities have been long time customers of Coleman Brothers. This quintessential south side Chicago barber shop has been a destination for more than 55 years.

---

Honorary Coleman Brothers WAY

6800 South Stony Island to South Harper Avenue

 

Approved: April 2024

Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: South Shore

d. 2018. Age 88 James. 2016 Richard

near
Coleman Brothers Barber Shop
6802 S. Stony Island

---

Source

20248190

https://www.wbez.org/stories/it-was-the-place-to-be-to-have-conversations-barbershop-remembers-owner-james-g-coleman/cb426376-c5ad-4b44-aca0-4c761a614a83

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/5/7/18348367/founder-of-popular-south-side-barbershop-dies

https://youtu.be/3NJUYR6regQ?si=9YG2uyrmjRgc7lzY

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/richard-coleman-obituary?pid=180503850

Larry (Lawrence) Thurm

Coach Larry Thurm started a baseball league at Bell Park in 1985, which expanded and grew to include Riis Park and Sayre Park and a wide range of age groups.

---

Honorary Coach Larry (Lawrence) Thurm WAY

North Oak Park Avenue from West Barry Avenue to West Wellington Avenue

 

Approved: March 2024

Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Portage Park

b. September 30, 1935 in Chicago
d. October 29, 2023. Age 88

Near
Bell Park and Riis Park

---

Source

20247707

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/chicago-il/lawrence-thurm-11515218

Shirley J. Newsome

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

---

Honorary Shirley J. Newsome WAY

South Lake Park Avenue between 41st Street and 42nd Place

 

Approved: October 2023

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

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

---

Honorary Jeannine Janulis WAY

5900 to 6000 West 63rd Place

 

Approved: September 2023

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/

Alberto Onofre Guzman

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Honorary Alberto Onofre Guzman WAY

3725-3759 West 71st Street

 

Approved: September 2023

Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: Chicago Lawn

b. April 8, 1973 in Acapetlahuaya, Guerrero, Mexico

---

Source

20232788

Beth Murphy

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.

---

Honorary Beth Murphy WAY

Southeast Corner of North Sheffield Avenue and West Waveland Avenue

 

Approved: September 2023

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

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

---

Honorary Betty Jo Swanson’s WAY

8000 South Carpenter Street

 

Approved: September 2023

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

Mac and Louise Irvin

McGlother "Mac" Irvin was considered the “Godfather“of Chicago club basketball. He launched the Mac Irvin Fire, basketball club to highlight Chicago talent and setup a traveling team, which was sponsored by Nike in 1992. Many players went on to the NBA. He also founded the Mac Irvin Foundation to make a positive impact on at risk youth through basketball.

His wife, Louise Irvin was the manager of the program until her death in 2019. He worked for Xerox company before starting the Club; they raised 6 children on the South Side of Chicago. The Foundation and Club are being continued by the Irvin children.

Fernwood Park Basketball Courts were dedicated in his honor in 2012.

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Honorary McGlother "Mac" Irvin WAY

South Parnell Avenue from West 109th Street to West 111th Street

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 21
Alderman: Howard Brookins, Jr., (amended September) Ronnie Mosely
Neighborhood: Pullman

d. 2011. Age 74

Sign dedication: September 23, 2023

---

Source

20231313
20121108

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mcglother-mac-irvin-basketball-courts

https://www.jcoydenreports.com/chicagohonorsgodfathermacirvin

https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2380/chicago-mourns-passing-of-mac-irvin

https://www.foreverfire.org/about-us

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4430661

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/12/24/mac-irvin-godfather-of-chicago-basketball-dies/

Ernest & Gloria Jenkins

Ernest “Ernie” & Gloria Jenkins were founding members of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA), a community development corporation since 1973. The group serves the Lawndale neighborhood and provides juvenile justice intervention for at risk youth, and food for families. Ernie was CEO of WACA until 2009

Ernest served in the US Air Force. Ernest and Gloria worked as a consultants in market research and human relations and sensitivity training. Ernest became Executive Director of Programs for West YMCA: Austin and Southside YMCA, and in 1971 joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to organize community self-help groups. He has won numerous awards for his service.

Gloria was a social worker at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) and led a program for at-risk teenage girls. She was Executive Director of Urban Programs West YMCA and later served various roles at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She served in an advisory capacity for multiple organizations promoting African-Americans and women.

Veteran: Ernest - US Air Force

Alum
Ernest: Aurora University (formerly George Williams College)
Gloria: Governors State University

Faith
Chicago Temple United Methodist Church

---

Honorary Mrs. Ernest & Gloria Jenkins WAY

West Ogden Avenue, between Central Park and Millard Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: North Lawndale

b. Ernest: Dec 30 1929. Mississippi
Gloria: in Chicago

d. Gloria: January 3, 2006
Ernest: January 2, 2018

Near: Westside Association for Community Action (WACA)
3600 W. Ogden

---

Source

2023986
IL-100-SR1294
IL-94-SR0566

https://wacanetwork.org/

Sam Bell

Sam Bell was a long time volunteer for the Midtown Educational Foundation where he tutored students, led successful fundraising efforts, and supported programs and networks for a wide range of populations and interests. He was well known and well regarded and appreciated for the personal support and kindness he showed everyone he met.

Sam died in a bicycle accident. A Ghost Bike has been dedicated in his memory at the crash site

Alum
Eastern Illinois University

---

Honorary Sam Bell WAY

Northwest corner of West Rice Street and North Wood Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 1
Alderman: LaSpata
Neighborhood: West Town

b. 1978. Galesberg, IL
d. September 8, 2022. Age 44

---

Source

2023983

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/13/bicyclist-sam-bell-killed-by-driver-in-river-west-was-a-friend-to-all-and-a-mentor-to-chicago-kids/

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/30/ghost-bike-installed-in-river-west-for-sam-bell-bicyclist-killed-on-milwaukee-avenue/

Marge Britton

Marguerite “Marge” Britton was a 1969 founder of the the oldest block club in the Edgewater neighborhood, the Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council (LRBC) . Before a career in public relations, she worked for the Lerner Newspaper and Skokie News. She was also a Ward staff member who served during the tenures of 4 Aldermen.

Marge lived her entire life in the neighborhood, and raised her family of 6 children on Magnolia Street.

Alumni
Mundeline College in Rogers Park

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Honorary Marge Britton WAY

North Magnolia Avenue, between West Balmoral Avenue and West Bryn Mawr Avenue

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 48
Alderman: Osterman
Neighborhood: Edgewater

d. April 8, 2022. Age 84

---

Source

2023656

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/marguerite-britton-obituary?id=34195862

Avenida Fiesta del Sol

Fiesta del Sol is the largest Latino community organized block party in the country. In 2022 it celebrated 50 years. It is a free, outdoor community festival which features local vendors, community businesses, and social services; it does not allow alcohol or tobacco sponsorships. Fiesta del Sol hosts 1.3M visitors over 4 days.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

Fiesta del Sol is held at the end of July. See the event site for details https://fiestadelsol.org/

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Honorary Avenida Fiesta del Sol

Blue Island Avenue between West Cullerton Street and West 21st Street

 

Approved: June 2022

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen

---

Source

2022835

https://www.pilsenneighbors.org/

https://fiestadelsol.org/

Lula Navarro

Lula Navarro was a well known community activist in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, where she had been a resident since 1974.

She came to Chicago from Mexico and worked in the garment industry at the age of 14. She lost a finger and her job, and took work as a housekeeper. She participated in demonstrations in South Chicago where she was often the only Mexican woman. Lula was involved in Labor and the Farm Workers Movements and was well known for her campaign to build Benito Juarez High School; she continued her involvement through the support of bilingual education and job opportunities.

---

Honorary Lula Navarro Way

South Komensky Avenue, from West 31st Street to West 32nd Street

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. 2004

---

Source

20222848
R815