Roslyn and Seymour Simon Circle

Seymour F. Simon was the Chief Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court, former Cook County Board President, and former Alderman of the 40th Ward. He became known for his dissenting opinions in court, and against Mayor and the party line. Roslyn started her own corporate gifts business after the death of her first husband. She is also a was a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and competed in the Miss America Pagent as Miss Philadelphia.

Alumni (Seymour):
Roosevelt High School
Northwestern University
Northwestern Law

Veteran: Navy, WWII

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Honorary Roslyn and Seymour Simon Circle

North Avenue Parkway at Sheridan Road

Approved:

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Old Town/Gold Coast

Seymour
b. August 10, 1915. Chicago
d. September 2006. Age 91. Chicago

Roslyn
b. 2015
d. April 12, 2007. Age 91. Chicago

 

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Source

Source

Evangelistic Outreach Deliverance Ministry Way

it's time to praise the lord

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Honorary Evangelistic Outreach Deliverance Ministry Way

Northwest corner of West Madison Street and North Kildare Avenue

 

Approved: October 2016

Dedicated: 2016

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park

Near
Evangelistic Outreach Deliverance Ministry
4300 W. Madison Street

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Inez Loredo Street

Throughout her life, Inez Loredo broke through barriers and took on increasingly large roles helping children in the Pilsen neighborhood get access to education and build a strong community. In 1921 Inez was born in Harlingen, Texas. She was the first Mexican-American woman in her town to graduate from high school. 

When she moved to Chicago she was very involved in her children's school, Jungman Elementary, where she was first bi-lingual PTA member. She took on the role of School Community Representative (SCR) at Jungman where she helped local families enroll their children in school; she often acted as translator. Inez was instrumental in getting bilingual teachers hired into the Chicago Public Schools. She helped build high schools, libraries, and healthcare centers. She also founded the Fiesta de Sol; it became the largest Latino festival in the midwest. 

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Honorary Inez Loredo Street

 

Morgan Street from West 16th to West 18th

Approved: 2018

Ward: 25
Alderman: Solis
Neighborhood: Pilsen

Birthplace: Harlingen, Texas.
November 7, 1921
October 7, 2017

Hugh M. Hefner Way

Honorary Hugh M. Hefner Way, with remnant of former (presumably stolen) sign below it. March 2015
Photo: Honorary Chicago 

Hugh Hefner was the founder of Playboy Magazine and a legend in his own time

Hugh Hefner published the first Playboy Magazine in 1953 with a nude centerfold of Marilyn Monroe.  That was the beginning of his adult entertainment empire which included clubs, television, music, literature, interviews with historic figures, and lots of controversy.

Hugh grew up on Chicago's Northwest side and attended Chicago Public Schools: Sayer Elementary School and Steinmetz High School. 

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Hugh graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1949.

Playboy Enterprises was located in Chicago from its inception until the headquarters moved to California in 2012.

The original Playboy Mansion was in the Gold Coast neighborhood at 1340 N. State Parkway. It is now a condominium building.

The first Playboy Club was located at 116 E. Walton Street.  This building and address no longer exist.

Hugh M. Hefner Way

Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile
Dedicated: April 11, 2000

April 9, 1926 - September 27, 2017
Age 91.

The honorary sign is located outside 919 N. Michigan Avenue, the former headquarters of Playboy Enterprises.  This building is also known as the Palmolive Building and is recognizable in the Chicago skyline by the bright light atop the building. 

 

Due to recent changes in Chicago's Honorary Street program, new honorary signs can no longer honor a living person.  Hugh Hefner Way was installed before this change; he was one of the last surviving honorees.

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Honorary Sign FAQ

Bobby Cann Way

Bicyclist, 26-year old Bobby Cann, was killed by a motorist while on his commute home from work. He had been a avid cyclist and advocate for bicycle awareness, safe biking and driving practices, and dedicated bike lanes. 

Two weeks before his death he participated in the Ride of Silence, the 3rd Wednesday in May, to raise awareness and mourn the loss of bicyclists.

The City of Chicago installed protected bike lanes along the stretch of street where the accident took place. The driver was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated drunk driving.

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Bobby Cann Way

Northwest corner of Clybourn and Larrabee

Approved: September 2013
Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Dedication: October 25, 2013

Neighborhood: Old Town / Clybourn Corridor

May 29, 2013. Age 26.

 

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Memorial ghost bike, on Clybourn, one block south of sign on east side of street

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Bobby Cann, Huffington Post (Ret. May 30, 2017)
Bobby Cann Memorial, DNAinfo (Ret. May 30, 2017)
Memorial for Cyclist Robert Cann, Tribune (Ret. May 30, 2017)

Shannon Dell Way

Karen Grace Jones, known to radio listeners as Shannon Dell, was one of the top DJs in Chicago radio at WGCI and WNND (previously WPMT) radio.  She was a music programmer and an on-air personality know for her independent spirit, her great big laugh, and her tagline. Her listeners knew she was "lovin' you like a sister."  

Video YouTube: uppermidwestaircheck

She looked out for her sisters and brothers and the African-American community.  In 1991 Shannon Dell challenged her employer on the disparity in pay between herself and her male counterparts. She did not win, but her efforts drew national attention and raised awareness about discrimination in the workplace .  Shannon was a staunch advocate of women and minorities and was eager to help those who desired to work in field of broadcasting.

"Forget radio, forget black and forget woman: (Jones) was a charming person with a big heart who had very strong convictions about people and life,"
- Jack Holiday, a friend and co-worker
(Chicago Tribune)

Karen Grace Jones (Shannon Dell) was born and raised in Cincinnati.  Before coming to Chicago she worked in radio in Los Angeles, Dallas, New Orleans, and Washington D.C.

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Shannon Dell Way

Michigan Avenue at Lake Street
Neighborhood: Cultural Mile

Near the radio station where she once worked.

March 1998. Age 43.

 

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Metropolitan Iakovos Way

Born in Greece as Iakovos Garmatis, Metropolitain Iakovos was Chicago’s top official for the Greek Orthodox Church of America for nearly 50 years. His parishes included portions of 6 midwestern states. He was elected Bishop in Chicago in 1979 and then promoted to Metropolitan in 1997. Previously he served the Detroit area and the Boston area. During his tenure he increased service to the homeless and needy, youth programs, and with other faith communities.

Alumni
University of Athens, School of Theology
Boston University

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Metropolitan Iakovos Way

Burton at Astor Street

Approved: 2017
Ward: 43
Alderman: Smith
Neighborhood: Gold Coast

b. 1928. Greece
d. June 2, 2017. Age 89. Chicago

 

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Facebook: @MetropolisOfChicago
Website: http://chicago.goarch.org/

https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocese-mourns-the-falling-asleep-in-the-lord-of-metropolitan-iakovos-of-chicago

Corporal Albert Bitton Place

Albert Bitton grew up in West Rogers Park.  After high school he joined the Army as a medic with ambitions for a medical career.  He was so suited to the role that his patients called him "Doc." He was deployed to Iraq in 2007; unfortunately he died during a raid in the following year. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart posthumously.

Approved 2009
Ward: 
Alderman: Stone
Neighborhood: West Rogers Park

July 13, 1087 - February 19, 2008. Age 20.

School:
Ida Crown Jewish Academy

Army Medic
1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

 

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Honorable Clark Burrus Way

Clark Burrus was the head of Finance for the City of Chicago and later Vice Chairman of Chicago's largest bank and an expert in issues pertaining to minorities in public finance.  He was born and raised in Chicago.

After graduating from Roosevelt University in 1954 with his undergraduate degree he worked for the City of Chicago. During his 25 years with the City he served under 7 Chicago Mayors. He became Comptroller of the City of Chicago in 1973. In this role he was the head of the Department of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Chicago. He was the first African-American to hold this office.

Burrus had many great achievements during his career with the City. He established billions of dollars in capital improvements for Chicago infrastructure including the CTA, Metra, and Pace. He also brought Chicago's accounting practices in order; under his leadership the City of Chicago earned a AA-bond rating.  This was important because in 1979 the whole country was engulfed in an economic crisis.  Having a strong credit rating was immensely helpful in getting Chicago through financial tough times.

Several bank acquisitions and mergers occurred in the 1990s and 2000s. First National Bank of Chicago is now known as Chase Bank.

Next Clark worked First National Bank of Chicago from 1979 until 1988.  He retired as Vice Chairman of Capital Markets and was the co-leader of Public Banking. 

Watch this Chicago History Museum oral history with Clark Burrus from May 22, 2012

His civic involvements were many; he was on the board of several Chicago organizations including: Chicago Council of Urban Affairs, The Economic Development Council, The Harold Washington Foundation, Urban Gateways.  

Honorary Clark Burrus Way was dedicated the first week in August, 2017.  The sign unveiling was hosted by Alderman Ed Burke of the 14th Ward, who is the head of the Finance Committee. Other Chicago dignitaries included: Carole Mosley Braun, Carole Brown, Dorothy Brown. Clark Burrus' widow, Lucille, and a showing of fifty family members attended the ceremony in front of the bank where he once worked. 

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Honorable Clark Burrus Way

Ward: 42
Alderman: Reilly (42), and Burke (14)
Neighborhood: Loop
Dedicated: August 2017

November 5, 1928 - June 17, 2015. Age 86

Englewood High School. 1946
Roosevelt University MPA, Master of Public Administration 1972

 

Updated: August 3, 2017

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HistoryMakers
Sun-Times
Chicago History Museum
Chicago Defender

Dr. Lorraine R. Broyls

Lorraine is the founder and CEO of the Universal Family Connection (UFC) not-for-profit, a group dedicated to providing public service to families that are highly effective and comprehensive in scope.    

Through child welfare and family services, UFC’s aim is to help families remedy conditions of risk, and to thrive and function in ways that promote the psychological, emotional health, and social development of all family members.
source: UFC Facebook page

UFC has partnered with many pubic assistance programs and government agencies at the city and state level.

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Honorary Dr. Lorraine R. Broyls Way
1350 W. 103rd street
(Outside UFC location)

Approved: May 2017
Ward: 34
Alderman: Austin
Neighborhood: Beverly

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UFC About us

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan, a Grammy Award winning singer and musician is known as the “Queen of Funk,” although she was also known for R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel music. She started her career in the band, Rufus, before launching her highly successful solo career. In 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

She was born Yvette Marie Stevens in Chicago, and took the name Chaka as her spiritual name, and the name Khan as her married name. She was a regular performer on the TV show - Soul Train.

July 28, 2013 is Chaka Khan Day in Chicago.

Alum
Kenwood High School
Calumet High School
St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School

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Honorary Chaka Khan Way

South Blackstone between East Hyde Park Avenue and East 50th Street

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Approved: 2013

Neighborhood: Kenwood

b. March 23, 1953 in Chicago

near
Kenwood Academy High School
5015 S. Blackstone

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Souce

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

https://www.kenwoodacademy.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=186512&type=d&pREC_ID=376144

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

https://chakakhanmusicwebsite.com/

Honorary Chicago Guidebook, Second Edition, Michigan Avenue and Beyond

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Way

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons was a labor activist in the 1870s and the first African-American womens labor organizer. She led the first May Day labor parade in the US which was a testament to the growing labor movement in the wake of the Haymarket Affair. The attention it drew helped establish the 8-hour work day and contributed to the institution of Labor Day as a national holiday.

Lucy was born in Texas around 1853 and was of African-American, and possibly Mexican and Native American descent.  She and her husband, Albert Parsons, moved to Chicago in 1873 to escape personal threats due to their labor views and their inter-racial marriage, which was forbidden. 

Albert made a name for himself during the 1877 rail strikes which swept across the country.  He spoke to crowds of tens of thousands of angry workers and called for peaceful negotiations.  Albert was sentenced to death for his role in the Haymarket Riots.  While in prison he wrote "Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis."  

Lucy's views became more radical and militant after Albert's death.  She published Albert's manifesto and wrote for the publications The Socialist and The Alarm. Lucy co-founded Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) with Eugene Debs and Mother Jones.  She carried on the fight for workers rights for the next 55 years, until the end of her life.

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Lucy Ella Gonzalez Parsons Park 

A Chicago Park is also named in her honor at Belmont and Kilpatrick, which is less than a mile from where she lived. She died in a house fire at 3130 N. Troy Street

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Honorary Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Way

Kedzie and Shubert near the Logan Square Blue Line CTA Station

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Avondale / Logan Square
Dedication: May Day, May 1, 2017

Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons 1853-1942, age 89.

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Lucyparsons.org
DNAinfo, May 1, 2017
IWW.org
Encyclopedia of Chicago

Sister Barbara Jean Ciszek Way

Sister Barbara Jean Ciszek was the Founder and Principal of the Montessori School at the Cardinal Bernadin Early Childhood Center, St. Boneventure Campus.  She was a member of the American Montessori Society and an expert in language and aesthetic development.  

The Montessori method of education was founded in 1906 by Maria Montessori, an Italian physican and specialist in early childhood development.  

 

Cardinal Bernadin Early Childhood Center

1651 W. Diversey

Bee Jay, was called clearly and early to both teaching and religious life.  She declared her intention to teach at age 5.  She took her vows as a Catholic nun at age 19. Toward the end of her career she was called to Africa and made several visits to Nigeria.  At the time of her death a school was being built in Nigeria in her honor.

She was a member of the Congregation St. Joseph LaGrange.

Approved: 2016
Neighbohood: Lakeview

Sister Barbara Jean Ciszek 1946-2015, age 68

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Chicago Tribune, June 7, 2015
Catholic New World, July 29, 2012

Javier 'Javy' Baez Way

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.

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

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

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Honorary Javier “Javy” Baez Way

At Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park

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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.

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Source

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