Benji Wilson

Benji Wilson was a high school basketball team captain of the Simeon Wolverines, who died as the result of gun violence. He was a very talented player. By sophomore year he had already made the varsity team. In 1984, his senior year, he was ranked the top high school player in the country and anticipated scholarships from multiple universities.

His jersey number was 25. In his honor this number was worn by his teammate, Nick Anderson when he attended University of Illinois, by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, and by Brandon Sherrod Wilson, Benji’s son who was 10 weeks old when his father died.

Two documentaries have been filmed about his life and death: 2012 Benji, which premiered on ESPN; 2020 Two Sides of the Gun: A Story of Reconciliation. The 2020 film included the fulfillment of the dying wish of his mother, for her family and surviving sons to publicly forgive the murderer.

Alum:
Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School

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Honorary Benji Wilson Way

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. March 18, 1967
d. November 21, 1984

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Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wilson_(basketball)

20221617

Carlos F. Pagan

Carlos Pagan was a 19-year old shooting victim in the Albany Park neighborhood.

Alum:

Theodore Roosevelt High School

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Honorary Carlos F. Pagan Way

North Albany Avenue from West Argyle Street to West Carmen Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Albany Park

d. 2018. Age 19

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Source

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/07/albany-park-neighbors-help-pay-funeral-costs-in-possible-mistaken-identity-murder/

2022843

Brandon William McGhee

Brandon was a 23-year old artist who was killed in a random act of gun violence. He was a good person who looked out for others. A classmate described him as a “beautiful soul.” He had played basketball and football at Lake View High School and worked at WhirlyBall, an entertainment center.

A mural in Brandon’s honor has been painted at the Logan Square Blue Line Station by local artist and friend of Brandon’s family, Tyrue “Slang” Jones.

Alumni:
Lake View High School

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Honorary Brandon William McGhee Way

West Homer Street from North Western Avenue to North Rockwell Street

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 1
Alderman: La Spata
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

d. 2020. Age 23

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Source
Mural

Isabel Lopez

Isa, Isabel Lopez, was a teenager and dancer who died from cancer. Her image was featured in a national awareness campaign for the American Cancer Society.

Alumni
Byrne Elementary School
Queen of Peace High School
St. Lawrence High School

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Honorary Isabel Lopez Way

5200 South Rutherford Avenue

 

Approved: 2018

Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge

Dedicated: September 20, 2019

b. February 13, 2000
d. September 2017

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Source

Source

Lena Marie Nunez Anaya Way

Lena was a 10 year old girl who was watching television with her brother in their grandmother’s apartment when a stray bullet came through the window and killed her. She was the innocent victim of gang violence a block away. A vigil was held by the community the next day.

The releasing of the white balloons pic.twitter.com/FzbEFoeZKI

— Mina Bloom (@mina_bloom_) June 30, 2020

Police have made an arrest in the shooting death of 10-year-old Lena Nunez, who was visiting her grandmother in Logan Square in late June when shew as shot i...

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Honorary Lena Marie Nunez Anaya Way

West Dickens Avenue, from North Drake Avenue to North St. Louis Avenue

 

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Logan Square

b. September 7, 2009
d. June 28, 2020. Age 10. Chicago

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Source

Block Club

Twitter

WBEZ

Emily Beazley Avenue

Emily Beazley was a 12 year old who died following a four year battle with cancer and deeply moved her friends, family, classmates, neighborhood, and Grammy Award Winner Taylor Swift. “Emily’s Entourage” was her purple and green clad fan base which raised money for her care and the establishment of the foundation in her name to find a cure for childhood cancers.

Honorary Chicago Police Officer

YouTube

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Honorary Emily Beazley Avenue

Location: 108th Homan

 

Approved: May 2015

Ward: 19
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Mount Greenwood

b. 2002
d. 2015. Age 12. Chicago

Near
Her home

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Source

https://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=emily-beazley&pid=174896611