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

Honorary Fazlur R. Khan Way

Fazlur Rahman Khan was a famous structural engineer who designed the world’s tallest buildings. He worked in Chicago at Skidmore, Owings, and Merril (SOM) and collaborated on the Sears Tower (1973) and the John Hancock Building (1969) with architect Bruce Graham. His innovations in bracing systems and the bundled tube design ushered in a new era of supertall buildings. He is considered the “Einstein of Structural Engineering.” He won a Fullbright Scholarship to pursue his studies in the United States. In 1967 he became a US Citizen.

Alum
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Skydeck is the the name of the observation deck on the 103rd floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Ten Tallest Buildings in Chicago

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

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Honorary Fazlur R. Khan Way

300 South Franklin Street. Sign now located inside Skydeck visitor center

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Approved

Ward: 42
Neighborhood: Loop

b. April 3, 1929 in (Dhaka, India) Bangladesh
d. March 27, 1982

near
Sears Tower (Willis)

He is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago

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Source

https://drfazlurrkhan.com/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fazlur-R-Khan

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

https://youtu.be/9vYGfAFSBtc?si=EibJ7_f3-sPMroyN

https://youtu.be/EbqwHmadQt0?si=V5J1FJ1rFtRNc59C

Terrence Callier Way

Terrence Collier Way - by request from a fan

"Would you be so kind as to tell me where Terrance Callier way is.
I'm a British expat, now living in Chicago, and Terry Callier' s music was very important to me growing up."

Yes, we take requests! - contact us

Terry Collier

Terrence Collier was a musician and vocalist who used his voice as an instrument.  His distinctive style and arrangement was an eclectic blend of Folk, Soul, Jazz, and African music.

For much of his life Terrence was more influential than he was famous. His career began early; in high school he recorded with Chess Records. He released albums between 1968 and 1978 on labels such as Electra and Cadet.  He also wrote songs and arranged music.

In the years before his 1998 comeback with the album "TimePeace," he trained and worked as a computer programmer.  In his late 50s he was able to quit his day job and return to his dream job - performing his music. 

Terrence was born in Chicago and lived in the Cabrini-Green housing projects.  He learned and practiced music in the local Chicago park field house. He was contemporaries with Curtis Mayfield and many other talented Cabrini alumni.  Terrence said this of his early experience and musical influence:

On any summer night you could walk by [the field house] and hear fantastic music – these guys could blow, and there were girl groups that sounded like angels... I learned early on to listen to everything – classical music and ethnic music from Africa and Middle East, and it all comes out in your work.

Listen to Terry Collier on YouTube

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Terrence Callier Way

Northwest corner of Sedgwick Street and Elm Street, cul-du-sac of Elm Street just west of pedestrian walkway at Seward Park near field house where Terrence played.

Approved: October 2016
Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: Cabrini/Seward Park
Dedicated: June 16, 2017

May 24, 1945 - October 27, 2012

Crane High School

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

 

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Chicago Tribune, Terry Callier: Farewell to a distinctive Chicago voice, October 30, 2012
New York Times

Kun Chae Bae Way

Impressive Korean media magnate in Chicago.  Established Bay Laboratories, Foster Bank, Channel 28.  Board of Directors of North Park University and involved with several Korean trade, commerce and cultural organizations.

He owned the Korean Cable Television Network of Chicago, founder and former president, the Korean American Broadcasting Company and Chicago KBS and is currently the president and co-owner of KM Ventures, Inc., a real estate development firm.

1956 came to Chicago

Alumni:
1960 Millikin University, bachelor of Chemistry

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Honorary Kun Chae Bae Way

North Kedzie and Foster Avenue

 

Approved July 21, 2004 (for 70th birthday)

Ward; 40
Alderman: O’ Connor
Neighborhood: North Park
 

b. 1934. Jae Ju, South Korea

Near
North Park University

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FF Bill Grant Way

Firefighter Bill Grant served the Chicago Fire Department for 21 years and died in the line of duty when his truck overturned while responding to a fire.

In 2001 he was honored by Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago for his rescue of a 70-year old disabled woman from a house fire.

His father and brother were also Chicago firefighters.

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Approved February 2017
Ward: 19
Alderman: O'Shea

West 90th Street and South Hoyne Avenue

Truck 51
March 23, 2007. Age 44.

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National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: William F. Grant
FirefightingLinks

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

Bob Collins Way

Bob Collins was a very popular morning radio personality on WGN AM 720 Radio. To listeners, and to everyone, he was "Uncle Bobby." 

This is one of my earliest tributes done after the untimely death of the legendary morning host at WGN AM 720 in Chicago. It was made for the Radio Hall of Fame at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago in February of 2000.

Steve Cochran, Orion Samuelson, Andrea Darlas, Dave Eanet and Mary Van De Velde toast Bob Collins with some Jack Daniel's on what would have been Bob's 75th birthday.

Bob Collins died in a private plane accident. February 8, 2000

WGN Radio Walk of Fame

Bob Collins was inducted into the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in 2014.

This commemorative plaque is located in the sidewalk of Pioneer Court aside the Showcase radio studio of the Tribune Building.

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Bob Collins Way

East Illinois Street at Cityfront Plaza

Near the WGN Radio Studio in the Tribune Tower

February 8, 2000

Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile

 

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Now on mobile

Honorary Bob Collins Way
in the Honorary Bob Collection
Search: Bob

More Bobs

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

KARTEMQUIN WAY

Kartemquin is a documentary film production house started in Chicago in 1966 with their first production "Home for Life."

The honorary sign was dedicated to mark the 50th anniversary of the company and the remarkable body of work KTQ has produced.

The name KARTEMQUIN is a combination of the last names of the three founders: Stan Karter, Jerry Temaner and Gordon Quinn; and a play on the name of a 1925 film "The Battleship Potemkin."

"Democracy through Documentary" 

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Sign Approved: 2016
Ward: 32
Alderman: Waguespack
Neighborhood: Lakeview

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Kartemquin Films IMDB

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

K9S For Veterans Way

K9s for Veterans is a Chicago area Non-profit which takes shelter dogs and trains them as service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

Video: NBC 5 Chicago

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The honorary sign commemorates the opening of their new training center on Roosevelt Road.

 

Approved February 2017
Ward: 29
Alderman: Taliaferro

5430 West Roosevelt Road

Dedicated: March 18, 2017

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Upcoming Events by K9s for Veterans

Twitter: K9s for Veterans NFP

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Officer Michael Flisk Avenue

Officer Michael Flisk died in the line of duty in 2010.  Officer Flisk served 19 years as a police evidence technician and was gunned down at the scene of a vehicle burglary by the hidden burglar.  The owner of the burglarized vehicle was also killed.

The gunman was found and charged with two murders and sentenced to life in prison.

Michael Flisk's three sons all became Chicago Police Officers.

 

Approved: February 2017
West 99th Street and South Artesian Avenue
Ward: 19
Alderman: O'Shea
Neighborhood: Beverly

Michael Ronald Flisk
Star #6962
November 26, 2010. Age 46.

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National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund: Michael Ronald Flisk
Officer Down Memorial Page

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