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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.

Blog

Filtering by Tag: Puerto Rico

Fernando DeLeon

Linda Zabors

Fernando Miguel DeLeon grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. He was a member of the musical group “Los Perdidos” which had one of it’s songs featured in the Chicago film “Go For It.”

Alumni:
Kelvin Park High School
Funston Elementary


Honorary Fernando DeLeon Way

North Meade Avenue, from West Fullerton Avenue to West Grand Avenue

 

Approved: June 2024

Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Belmont Craigin

b. April 12, 1986 in Puerto Rico
d.May 30, 2020 age 34 in Chicago

near
His home


Source

20249457

Ed Negron

Linda Zabors

Ed Negron was a former writer and photographer for the Windy City Times, activist, and addiction counselor in the LGBTQ community in Chicago. He had also worked in housing at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to reduce homelessness among low-income and recovering populations.

He was an outspoken advocate who mentored for his communities facing drug addiction and trafficking, former gang membership, bisexual, Puerto Rican, and veteran causes; he was a member of all these groups and it was his mission to battle the challenges inherent in these causes.

Ed was the cofounder of Queer Alliance Chicago and he served as a volunteer for many local organizations including: Latin American Men in Action (ALMA), Chicago Task Force on LGBT Substance Use and Abuse, Equality Illinois, and International Mr. Leather (IML).

Chicago LGTB Hall of Fame inductee, 2006, at age 35

Veteran: US Army


Honorary Ed Negron Way

North Clark Street from West Devon Avenue to West Schreiber Avenue

 

Approved: December 2021

Ward: 40
Alderman: Vasquez
Neighborhood: Edgewater/Rogers Park

d. July 23, 2021. Age 50.

International Mr. Leather
6410 North Clark Street


Source

GoPride

Windy City Times

https://www.youtube.com/user/ednpride/videos

Bruce J. Graham Way

Linda Zabors

Bruce Graham was a famous Chicago architect who designed buildings all over the world. He was born in Colombia, South America to Canadian and Peruvian parents and grew up in Puerto Rico. He came to Chicago and apprenticed for Holabird and Root architects; most of his career was at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) where he and structural engineer, Fazlur Khan were an outstanding team. In Chicago they built the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) and the John Hancock Building (875 N. Michigan Avenue). He was one of the contributors to the Chicago 21 plan of 1973, an extension of the Burnham Plan of Chicago. He was also a Pew Fellow.

Alumni
University of Pennsylvania, Architecture
Case Western Reserve
University of Dayton
Colegio San Jose de Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Veteran: U.S. Navy

Chicago Architecture Center - 875 N. Michigan Avenue (John Hancock Center)
The John Hancock Building is now known by it’s street address. 875 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago 360 is the name of the observation deck which is on the 94th floor.

Ten Tallest Buildings in Chicago


Honorary Bruce J. Graham Way

Chestnut Street between Mies van der Rohe Way and Michigan Avenue

 

Approved: 2010

Ward: 42
Alderman: Reilly
Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile/Gold Coast

b. December 1, 1925. Columbia, South America
d. March 10, 2010. Age 84. Florida
burial: Graceland Cemetery, Chicago

Near
John Hancock Building
875 North Michigan Avenue

Bruce Graham is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago next to his architectural colleague Fazlur Khan


Source

New York Times

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Graham

https://www.architecture.org/programs-events/detail/in-their-own-words-building-the-john-hancock/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvWOnh1hHRxT_fW1zRsPfrSMt-B-wRkpf2hjCQ7s7YyMMeoEb1of3kRoCAPsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock_Center

Chicago Architecture Center - 875 N. Michigan Avenue (John Hancock Center)

Joseph Muntaner Way

Linda Zabors

Joseph Muntaner was a construction contractor and super volunteer to the 1st Ward and his church, St. Bonaventure. He was very dedicated and loyal and took his work very seriously, whether it was shoveling snow or removing graffiti.

Alumni:
Mather High School

Born in Chicago


Honorary Joseph Muntaner Way

West Diversey between North Leavitt Street and Western Avenue

 

Approved: 2018

Ward: 1
Alderman: Moreno
Neighborhood: Logan Square

b. August 19, 1958. Chicago
d. May 14, 2017. Chicago


Neftali Reyes, Jr. Way

Linda Zabors

Neftali “Buzzo” Reyes was 19 years old, he graduated with honors from Roberto Clemente High School in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. He was a star athlete and an outstanding sportsman for the Wildcats. It was his dream to be a Major League Baseball Pitcher. Neftali was on a full scholarship at Claflin University in South Carolina. He was at home in Chicago for the holidays and recovering from a sports injury when a stranded friend called in need of a ride late one night. Neftali became the innocent victim of a shooting.

Alumni:
Roberto Clemente Community Academy High School


Honorary Netfali “Buzzo” Reyes, Jr. Way

1000 and 1100 blocks of West Luis Muniz Marin Drive

 

Approved: April 2020

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

b. May 3, 1998. Chicago
d. December 29, 2017. Age 19.

Near
Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park


Javier 'Javy' Baez Way

Linda Zabors

Javier Baez played for the Chicago Cubs baseball team (2014-2021) and was a crucial part of the team's historic World Series win in 2016. His nickname is “El Mago,” the magician. He was co-MVP for the National League and an All-Star.

baez dedication crowd 1.jpg

Honorary Javier "Javy" Baez Way was dedicated on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 and drew a huge crowd of adults and children from the proud Puerto Rican community and beyond, most were wearing Chicago Cubs hats, shirts, jackets, and Javy's jersey number 9.  

"Congratulations Javier Baez" cake from a local bakery

"Congratulations Javier Baez" cake from a local bakery

Fan wearing Javier Baez Cubs jersey number 9 and flying the flag of Puerto Rico

Fan wearing Javier Baez Cubs jersey number 9 and flying the flag of Puerto Rico

 

Honorary Javier “Javy” Baez Way

At Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park


Approved: 2017

Ward: 26
Alderman: Roberto Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park


Sign Dedication Ceremony: April 11, 2017

 

The sign stands in Humboldt Park in front of "Little Cubs Field" and also at the Division Street entrance to the park on Luis Munoz Marin Drive.

The sign dedication was hosted by Alderman Roberto Maldonado and attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.


Source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_B%C3%A1ez