Contact Us

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.

Blog

Filtering by Tag: media

Merri Dee

Linda Zabors

Merri Dee had a long career in Chicago media as a television anchor on WGN-TV, Channel 9, from 1972-1983; then as Director of Community Relations and manager of the the stations Children’s Charities until 2008. After leaving broadcasting she served the Illinois Chapter of AARP until 2022.

She was born, Mary Francis Dorham in Chicago. Her first job was in radio in Harvey, Illinois at WBEE. She then went to WCIU, followed by WSNS where she hosted her own talk show The Merri Dee Show.

In 1971, she survived a kidnapping and murder attempt. She was involved in Illinois’ adoption of the Victim’s Bill of Rights in 1992, which became the basis of legislation in other states. Merri Dee was well known for her work with charities and has received several awards.

Alum
Midwestern Broadcasting School
Xavier University, Louisiana
Englewood Technical Prep Academy, Chicago

Honorary Merri Dee Way

1300 South Damen Avenue at West 13th Street

 

Approved: November 2013

Ward: 02
Alderman: Fioretti
Neighborhood: Near West Side/Illinois Medical District

b. October 30, 1936 in Chicago
d. March 16, 2022. Age 85

Source

20137731

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

https://youtu.be/EvPbpe_OiFs?si=X1e2qDKlxRQbKjtg

Comment
categories street
tags 2013, Women, media, Chicago Born

Chuck Renslow Way

Linda Zabors

Chuck Renslow was an icon in the LGBTQ community and a activist. He opened some of Chicago’s first openly gay businesses; he is known worldwide as the founder of International Mr. Leather competition and the Leather Archives and Museum. In the 1960s he opened one of the first leather bars in the world and published GayLife magazine. He is featured in the Chicago Boystown LGBTQ Hall of Fame and also in New York.

Alumni
Lane Technical High School

Born in Chicago, grew up in Logan Square

Honorary Chuck Renslow Way

Northeast corner of North Clark Street and West Ainslie Avenue and the Southeast corner of North Clark Street and West Winnemac Avenue

 

Approved: May 2018

Ward:: 47
Alderman: Pawar
Neighborhood: Uptown

b. August 26, 1929. Chicago
d. June 29, 2017. Age 87

Near
The former site of Man’s Country - Bath House
5015 N. Clark Street

Dedicated: May 19, 2018
40th anniversary of IML competition

Comment
categories street
tags 2018, Local Business, LGBTQ, Lane Tech, entertainment, media, Ward 47

Irv Kupcinet Bridge

Linda Zabors

Irv Kupcinet wrote a daily column for the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. “Kups Column” began in 1943 for the Chicago Daily Times, which became the Chicago Sun and then The Chicago Sun-Times in 1948. He interviewed celebrities in the newspaper and for his Saturday television show.

YouTube Honorary Chicago Playlist: Irv Kupcinet

Irv Kupcinet Bridge

Wabash Avenue Bridge

 

Approved: 1986

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Loop

b. July 31, 1912
d. 2003. Age 91

Near
Site of former Sun-Times building (currently Trump Tower)

There is a statue of Irv Kupcinet on the upper river walk of Wacker Drive

Comment
categories street, profile
tags media, Famous

Oprah Winfrey Way

Linda Zabors

Oprah Gail Winfrey was the founder and producer of the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” a nationally syndicated daytime television talk show from 1986 to 2011. She became one of the most influential people in American and one of the wealthiest. She turned the television talk show genre from trash talk into an opportunity for personal development and enrichment for her audience. She interviewed countless celebrities, and boosted the careers of many authors, television stars, and political figures.

She built Harpo Studios in 1990 (Harpo os Oprah spelled backwards). This is where she produced the “Oprah Winfrey Show, “ O Magazine, films, the Oprah’s Book Club, a media empire, and a national treasure. She moved to Chicago to break into television. Before launching her own show she worked for WLS Radio.

alum
East Nashville High School

Honorary Oprrah Winfrey WAY

100 North Carpenter Street
Absent

 

Approved:


Neighborhood: West Loop

b. January 29, 1954 in Mississippi

near
former location of Harpo Studios
1058 W. Washington

Source

https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprah-on-cleaning-out-harpo-studios_1

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g23067476/oprah-book-club-list/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_opr_ext_comm_org_us_g23067476&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWrZg0qsqJ-JiRrMQOsXr3I3ctXcloJGEMDcCokPNCMFkjiT6hikNAxoCrwsQAvD_BwE

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

Comment
categories street, Guidebook-2ed
tags Famous, media, TV, Film, books, philanthropist, philanthropy, Women, Black