Jesus 'Chuy' Negrete

Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete was a famous Mexican-American folk singer and guitarist who also played harmonica. He was a member of the Chicano Youth Movement in the 1960s and the Farm Labor Movement.

He taught Mexican history and culture from youth to the university level, including in the Chicago Public Schools, University of Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, and Robert Morris University.

Chuy founded “Teatro de Barrio” in South Chicago.

He was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his parents who were migrant farm workers. From the age of 7, he lived in the South Chicago neighborhood.

Studs Terkel called him "the Chicano Woody Guthrie."

Alum:

Chicago Vocational High School
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago State University

https://www.chuynegrete.com

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Honorary Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete Way

East 91st Street and South Houston Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: South Chicago

near his childhood home 9125 S. Houston

b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. Age 72

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Source

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Big Tom (Thomas F. Markham, Jr.)

Thomas F. Markham, Jr was a very popular, multi-sport coach in the Clearing neighborhood at St. Symphorosa Catholic School. At 6 feet, 6 inches in height - he was known by all as “Big Tom.” Sports was always part of his life and the grand legacy that he passed on to his children and all the young athletes he coached through the years.

Tom grew up on the southwest side of Chicago

Alumnus:

Grimes School
De LaSalle High School
Northern Michigan University

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Honorary Big Tom Way

6000 block of South Melvina Avenue

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 13
Alderman: Quinn
Neighborhood: Clear Ridge

b. July 4, 1957
d. 2017. Age 59

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Source

2022619

Karen Lewis

Karen Lewis was the President of the Chicago Teacher’s Union from 2010 to 2014. Previously she had been a chemistry teacher for 22 years at Sullivan High School, Lane Tech, and King College Prep. She also spoke three languages.

Karen Lewis ran for the CTU to oppose privatization and mayoral control of schools as part of CORE (Caucus of Rank and File Educators). During her tenure she oversaw a 7-day strike in 2012, another work stoppage in 2014, reduced pay for Union officers, and expanded Union outreach efforts. She blocked efforts to impose merit pay and teacher evaluations all amid school consolidations and closures.

She was the only African-American woman in her graduating class from Dartmouth College, she transferred to Dartmouth when they started admitting women.

Karen was a resident of Bronzeville. She grew up on Chicago’ s south side, both her parents were Chicago Public School teachers.

Alum:

Kenwood High School
Mount Holyoke College
Dartmouth College, BA 1974
Northern Illinois University, Masters

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Honorary Karen Lewis CTU Way

Southeast corner of North Damen Avenue and West Carroll Avenue

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: West Loop

b. July 20, 1953
d. February 7, 2021. Age 67

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Source

2022491

Geoffrey L. Woitel

Geoffrey L. Woitel was a detective with the Chicago Police Department.

Geoff was born in Maywood and grew up in Oak Park.

Alumnus:
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Fenwick High School, Oak Park. IL
St. Giles Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

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Honorary Geoffrey L. Woitel Way

7200 block of West Everell Avenue

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 41
Alderman: Napolitano
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

b. January 11, 1972 in Maywood, IL
d. February 24, 2021. Age 49

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Source

2022386

New Life Covenant

New Life Covenant - “A Church for the Hurting” has established ministries for education, the homeless and food insecure, residential programs for children, young adults, and women.

Chicago Dream Center

Our mission is to REACH our community ONE person at a time by connecting them to resources that lead towards overcoming poverty, addiction, homelessness, human trafficking, and hunger.

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Honorary New Life Covenant Way

3500 to 3600 West Division Street

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

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Source

https://mynewlife.org

Dwain P Williams

Dwain Williams was a 26 year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. In 1992 he served as an Emergency Medical Technician to Engine 122 and later as a Fire Academy instructor in hazardous incidents and terrorist response. In 2018 he retired having achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He also worked in the Office of Emergency Management and Communication as a Watch Officer.

Prior to his time in the Chicago Fire Department, he served in the Army in international locations and in the Reserves as a Wire Systems Installer and Operator and at the 501st Signal Battalion and the 101st Airborne Assault Division. He was a decorated soldier and was an expert sharpshooter and hand grenade expert.

Dwain was intellectually curious and deeply knowledgeable. He earned four degrees and more than 80 certifications in professional and independent studies. He also had a passion for basketball, music and chess. He was a guitarist and went by the stage name “D-Sharp” with RAM Band and Mixed Nutz.

He taught computers and physical education at St. Phillip Neri School

Mentored at risk youth and athletics at the Chicago Park District

Listed in Who’s Who of Outstanding Young Americans

Veteran: Army. Active Duty 1976, Army Reserves
American Legion - George Giles Post #87

Alumnus:
Additional degrees and certifications
Harper High School
Altgeld Elementary School

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Honorary Lt. Dwain P. Williams Way

South Peoria Street, between 95th Street and 98th Street

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 34 and 21
Alderman: Austin and Brookins
Neighborhood: Longwood Manor

b. April 19, 1955
d. December 3, 2020. Age 65

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Source

2022255,181

Herman Petty

Herman Petty was a pioneer and the first black owner of a McDonald’s franchise in the United States. It is located at Stony Island and Marquette Road in the Woodlawn neighborhood. On December 21, 1968, it became the first of eight McDonald’s franchises he would own. Herman became a McDonald’s Millionaire and paved the way for others to follow in economic success and community rebuilding. With the help of special field consultants, by the end of 1969 there were twelve black owned McDonalds.

In 1968 it was a neighborhood in turmoil following the April 4th assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Riots erupted on the South side of Chicago. Herman, was well acquainted with the neighborhood and everyone in it, since he had the barbershop down the street. This was key to resolving gang and loitering issues.

Herman previously worked as a barber and as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority. He had no previous experience in franchise ownership or restaurants. In 1970 he founded the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association, there are now more that 330 black franchise owners.

The current owner of the location marked the 40th anniversary of the historic opening with a mural, markers, and timeline to commemorate the achievement for the community. The 5oth anniversary was in 2018. The location is within walking distance of the Obama Presidential Library Center.

Alumnus:
Hamburger University

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Honorary Herman Petty Way

East Marquette Road.; between South Stony Island Avenue and to South Dorchester Avenue

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 5
Alderman: Hairston
Neighborhood: Woodlawn

d. March 21, 2009

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Source

https://chicagocrusader.com/local-news/a-crusader-special-feature/

https://nbmoa.org/our-history/

Block Club Chicago

2022337

Lerone Bennett, Jr.

Lerone Bennett, Jr. was an author and social historian with a specialty in race relations and civil rights. He served for many years as the Executive Editor of Ebony Magazine; he began his career with Johnson Publishing as the City Editor of JET Magazine. His career in journalism began at the age of twelve at the black-owned newspaper The Mississippi Enterprise. After college he worked for the Atlanta Daily World.

His first book was Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America 1619-1962. In 1978 he received the American Academy Arts and Letters, Literature Award. In 1954 he published an article about the children of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings; which was verified decades later using DNA evidence.

He was a visiting professor at Northwestern University. Lerone graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1949, where he was classmates with Martin Luther King, Jr. Bennett interviewed King about the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, and in 1964 wrote What Manner of Man: A Biography of Martin Luther King.

Veteran: Army. Korean War

Alumnus:
Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia
Lanier High School

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Honorary Lerone Bennett, Jr. Parkway

South Chicago Beach Drive from East 48th Street to East 49th Street

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 4
Alderman: King
Neighborhood: Kenwood

b. October 17, 1928. Mississippi
d. February 14, 2018. age 89. Chicago

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Source

https://aaregistry.org/story/lerone-bennett-jr-a-classical-author/

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

2022385

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable was the pioneer credited as being the first non-native resident of what is now Chicago. He developed his property on the north bank of the Chicago River near the shores of Lake Michigan (ca. 1779)

In 1673 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet explored this region and noted it’s good location as a trade route through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

DuSable was born (ca. 1745) in what was the French Carribean colony, now know as Haiti, to a woman of African descent and a French mariner. He was educated in France and came to the United States around the early 1770s to make his fortune. He entered the New World through the port at New Orleans and made his way up the Mississippi River to Illinois. It was there he married his wife Kitihawa, a Potowatomi woman. They built a house and raised their two children in the area which is now Chicago.

At the time, fur trading was big business. In 1627 The Company of New France was established in what is now Montreal, Canada, which setup operations to source furs from the new world.

During the American Revolution he was arrested by the British, and for a while imprisoned at Fort Mackinac in Michigan before returning to Chicago. DuSable was a neutral party and had been involved in peace negotiations with native tribes.

In addition to his native French, DuSable spoke English, Spanish, and several tribal languages, all of which served him well in his trading business. DuSable was a very successful. In 1800 he sold his property and moved down the Mississippi, ultimately to Missouri, where he spent his last days. In 1968 a historic marker was placed at his gravesite.

The DuSable cabin was featured in an exhibit at the 1933 World Fair in Chicago “Century of Progress,” where he was recognized as Chicago’s first permanent resident. He was officially recognized by the City as Chicago’s founder on March 1, 2006.

Photo (public domain): Andreas 1884. Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable portrait

b. ca. 1745 in St. Marc, San Dominigue (Haiti)
d. August 28, 1818 in St. Charles, Missouri. Approx age 73.

Several sites and organizations in Chicago are named for DuSable

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Pioneer Court

This is the location where Dusable built the house where he lived with his wife and children. He developed his estate which included his trading business, barns, garden, orchard, stables, smokehouse, dairy, bakehouse, and where he employed others to work on his property.

He lived here for about two decades. His wife, Kitihawa (Catherine), was a member of the Potowatami Native American tribe. They were married in a tribal ceremony and later in a Catholic ceremony in Illinois in 1778. They had two children, a son, Jean, and a daughter, Suzanne. His granddaughter Eulalie Pelletier was born in 1796.

In 1789 he bought an additional 400 acres of property; this area was now part of the United States.

DuSable sold his property in 1800 and moved downstate. His property was later owned and occupied by John Kinzie (for whom Kinzie Street is named), the Kinzie family lived there until they fled during the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812. When Kinzie sold the property in 1834 it extended from the Lake to approximately Chicago Avenue at State Street.

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Honorary Dusable Bridge

Michigan Avenue crossing the Chicago River to Wacker Drive

 

Approved: 2010

Ward: 42
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile

The bridge crossing the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue opened in 1924. It was the world’s first double-deck traffic moveable bridge.

Photo: Honorary Chicago / Linda Zabors 2020. Honorary DuSable Bridge (raised) over Chicago River

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Map image: OpenStreetMap.org Contributors 2022, annotated: Honorary Chicago

DuSable Harbor

DuSable Harbor is located just south of the mouth of the Chicago River and the Coast Guard Headquarters at the Chicago Lakefront. DuSable Harbor is managed by the Chicago Park District.

DuSable Founders Way

The river esplanade on the north bank of the Chicago River between the Honorary Dusable Bridge and DuSable Lake Shore Drive is called DuSable Founders Way.

DuSable Park

DuSable Park, a parcel of lakefront land near the Ogden Slip on the north bank of the Chicago River near Lake Point Tower, was dedicated in 1987 by Mayor Harold Washington. The 2005 redevelopment of the park was stalled after the a nearby real estate financing fell through and when the site was determined to be in need of environmental remediation. Efforts are underway to develop this park.

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Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable Lake Shore Drive

Rededicated in 2021

Lake Shore Drive dates back to the early days of Chicago history. It is a famous street which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan. It was renamed to honor DuSable, as Chicago’s first non-native resident, in 2021.

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Dusable Museum

Founded in 1961 as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, the museum was renamed in honor of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable.

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Dusable High School

Built in 1935 as the New Wendell Philips High School, an expansion of the original school.

The following year, on April 25, 1936 the New Wendell Philips High School was renamed in honor of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, as the founder of Chicago.

Many famous people attended this school, DuSable Hall of Fame. The building received Landmark Status in 2012.

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DuSable Postage Stamp

In 1987 a 22-cent US postage stamp was issued in honor of Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable.

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Source

WTTW
Encyclopedia of Chicago
Dusable Heritage Foundation
DuSable Museum
DuSable High School

Chicago Tribune. Kogan, R:    https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-kitihawa-drive-chicago-kogan-1204-20191203-mtwyzk24rrcjpfumlgczcgswsu-story.html

Wikipedia: Kitihawa Pointe Du Sable  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitihawa_Point_du_Sable

The Root. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. 2013

https://kids.kiddle.co/Jean_Baptiste_Point_Du_Sable_Homesite

Donald J. Powers, Jr

Donald James Powers, Jr. was an electrician at O’Hare Airport. He grew up in Bridgeport and raised his own family in the Chrysler Village neighborhood of Chicago.

He is remembered as a great neighbor, husband, father , and as having one of the cool hangout houses for kids in the neighborhood. He was the T-ball coach at Lawler Park, the gym at the local Robert L. Grimes School is named in his honor. He served on the local school council and hosted Fourth of July festivities and acted as welcoming committee to newcomers to the neighborhood.

Alumnus:
St. George Grammar School
De LaSalle High School

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Honorary Donald J. Powers, Jr. Way

5500 block of West 64th Street

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 13
Alderman: Quinn
Neighborhood: Chrysler Village

b. January 28, 1963
d. August 26, 2008. Age 55.

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Source

20215519

Camerino Landa

Camerino Landa was an active volunteer in and for the Belmont Cragin community, in which he lived since 1995. His dedication to his family and community endured in spite of having suffered a stroke at the age of 32.

In 2007 he was recognized as Donor of the Year by a veterans organization

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Honorary Camarino Landa Way

North Laramie Avenue, between West George Street and West Wellington Avenue

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 31
Alderman: Cardona
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin

b. August 21, 1943
d. May 13, 2020. Age 78.

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Source

20215320

Otis Clay

Otis Clay was a singer of soul and R&B music. He was born in Mississippi and came to Chicago in 1957 as a gospel singer.

In 2013 he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame

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Honorary Otis Clay Way

West Cermak Road, from South Kildare Avenue to South Kolin Avenue

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

b. February 11, 1942. Mississippi
d. January 8, 2016. Age 73. Chicago

Buried in Oak Woods Cemetery Chicago

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Source

20215725

Roman Kurzac

Roman Kurzac was the owner of Roman’s Tire Shop, which he opened in 1985 after emigrating from Poland. He also owned and rented residences in the area and was eager to help others pursue their dreams of running their own business.

Roman was a happy man with many pursuits including: his cabin, all kinds of road, water, and snow vehicles, food, cards, and bee keeping.

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Honorary Roman Kurzac Way

West Grand Avenue from North Monitor Avenue to North Marmora Avenue 

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 36
Alderman: Villegas
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin

b. November 7, 1961. Sczytno, Poland
d. September 29, 2021. Age 59.

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Source

20215843

Richard Driehaus

Richard Herman Driehaus was one of the most influential people in mutual fund investing. He founded Driehaus Securities in 1979 and Driehaus Capital Management in 1982. He was born and raised in Brainerd neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, to a family of modest means. He became one of the top financiers and philanthropist in Chicago.

Beauty, harmony, and context are hallmarks of classical architecture, thus fostering communities, enhancing the quality of our shared environment, and developing sustainable solutions through traditional materials.” —Richard H. Driehaus

He, and the Driehaus Foundation, engaged in philanthropy, especially historic preservation, classical architecture, collecting, the arts, and education. The Driehaus Museum is an exceptional mansion restored inside and out to the Guilded Age and a decorative arts. He initiated the Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Architecture. Even though he was not an architect, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2015 from American Institute of Architects. He was also honored with the Order of Lincoln Award in 2017, the highest honor bestowed by the State of Illinois.

Alumnus:
DePaul University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Southeast Junior College
St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School

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Honorary Richard Driehaus Way

East Erie Street between Wabash Street and Rush Street

 

Approved:

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood:

Near the Driehaus Museum
40 East Erie Street

b. July 27, 1942 in Chicago
d. March 9, 2021. Age 78 in Chicago

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Source: New York Times Obituary

Driehaus Capital Management, About Richard Driehaus

Dr. Lester Fisher

Dr. Lester Fisher was the first veterinarian and director of the Lincoln Park Zoo from 1962 to 1992. He led the zoo to become a leading institution in Chicago and among zoos around the world. Under his leadership the zoo developed habitats, not just cages, for animals. He also led conservation efforts and plans for species survival - he specialized in primates.

Dr Fisher appeared regularly on televisions shows including: Zoo Parade, Bozo’s Circus, and the Ray Rayner Show “Ark in the Park” segment.

Lester Fisher was born in Chicago and served in WWII as a veterinarian; among his duties were treating General Patton’s bull terrier, Willie.

Veteran: WWII. Army

Alumni:
University of Iowa

Autobiography: Dr. Fisher’s Life on the Ark

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Honorary Dr. Lester Fisher Way

Stockton Drive at the Ridge Connecting Drive bridge. Outside the Lincoln Park Zoo

 

Approved:

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

b. February 24, 1921
d. December 22, 2021. Age 100

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Source

Ed Negron

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

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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

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Source

GoPride

Windy City Times

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

Paul Ready

Paul Ready worked for the City Department of Streets and Sanitation for 33 years as a hoisting engineer and long time resident of the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Off-duty he was a bartender, a husband, a father of four children and a well respected member of the community.

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Honorary Paul Ready Way

5300 and 5400 West Wilson Avenue

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 45
Alderman: Gardiner
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park

d. April 9, 2019

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Source

Lemuel Austin, Jr.

Lemuel Austin, Jr. was elected alderman of Chicago’s 34th Ward in 1987 and served three terms as chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations for the City Council. Previously he worked for Illinois Senators and the Cook County Sherrif’s Department, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Post Office.

Lemuel supported diversity contracting in the City of Chicago and residency quotas.
In 1993 he was awarded “Man of the Year” by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #150.

He died of a heart attack while in the office of Alderman. His widow, Carrie is the current Alderman of the Ward.

Alumnus

Richard J. Daley City College of Chicago
Carter J. Harrison High School

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Honorary Lemuel Austin Way

South Normal Avenue between 110th Street and 111th Street

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 34
Alderman: Austin
Neighborhood: Pullman

d. 1994. Age 48

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Source

Roberto "Bobby" Herrera

Roberto M. Herrera, Jr., a.k.a. “Chops”was a firefighter and 30-year veteran who retired from Truck 32 “Bombero Mexicanos” serving the Little Village neighborhood. Bobby retired in 2016 but remained an advocate and supporter of firefighters and the community.

He also had a passion for soccer, Bobby coached soccer for 18-years in the CLASA Latino league. Bobby was also a craftsman who made firefighting helmet shields and worked on cars.

Alumnus

Benito Juarez High School
Jungman Elementary School

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Honorary Roberto “Bobby” Herrera Way

West Carpenter Street between West 18th Street and West 19th Street

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigh-Lopez
Neighborhood: Little Village/Pilsen

b. June 21, 1961
d. May 22, 2021

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Source

Jerry Torry

Jerry Torry mentored youth in the South Shore neighborhood for more than 35 years at Chicago Youth Centers. In 2015 Jerry was honored by Heroes In The Hood for his service to stop violence in the community.

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Honorary Jerry Torry Way

South Phillips Avenue between East 76th Street and East 77th Street

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 7
Alderman: Mitchell
Neighborhood: South Shore

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Source
HeroesInTheHood2015

* 2022 May - location changed to South Phillips Avenue between E. 76th Street and E. 77th Street, from East 77th Street between Phillips Avenue and Essex Avenue