Charlie "Boot" Allen

Charles Herman “Boot” Allen was a businessman and educator in Chicago. He spent 35 years teaching in the Chicago Public Schools including: Mason Upper Grade, James Bowen High School,

He was the owner and operator of the Presidents Lounge on 75th Street, a popular local bar. Charlie ran an annual “Toys for Tots” campaign and established a scholarship fund for local high school students entering college.

Alum:
Tennesee State A&I University
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago

Member
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago

---

Honorary Charlie “Boot” Allen Way

East 75th Street, between South Champlain Avenue and South Langley Avenue

 

Approved: September 2022

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing

b. December 10, 1941
d. February 8, 2017. Age 75. in Tennesee

Near: President’s Lounge
653 East 75th Street

---

Source

20222185

Ronald Everette McKee, Sr.

Ronald Everett McKee, Sr. aka. Ronnie, Rem, and Coach was a very active community member who coached sports at several Chicago Park District locations and schools: Altgeld Park, Austin Park, Garfield Park; LaFollette Park, Union Park, and LeClaire Courts Fieldhouse.

He led several teams to State Championships. In addition to sports, he taught his students about life and black history. He was the first black sports captain of his high school where he was on the wrestling team.

In 1987 he was a candidate for 12th Ward Alderman.

Alum:
Kennedy High School

---

Honorary Ronald Everette McKee, Sr Way

South Leamington Avenue, from West 44th Street to West 45th Street

 

Approved: September 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Archer Heights

d. March 4, 2019

---

Source

20222439
R814

James (Jimmy) Cummings

---

Honorary James (Jimmy) Cummings Way

6100 block of North McVicker from West Matson Ave. to North Indian Road

 

Approved: September 2022

Ward: 39
Alderman: Nugent
Neighborhood: Forest Glen

---

Source

20222149

Muddy Waters

McKinley Morganfield, aka. Muddy Waters was a legendary blues musician who defined modern Chicago Blues with his vocals and blues adapted for electric guitar. He was born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago in 1943, he recorded in 1946 with Columbia Records and Aristocrat/Chess Records.

His band included: Little Walter Jacobs, Jimmy Rogers, Elga Edmonds, Otis Spann, and Willie Dixon.

Some of his top hits were: Hoochie Coochie Man (1954), Mannish Boy (1955), Got My Mojo Working (1957). The band “The Rolling Stones” named themselves after his 1950 hit “Rollin’ Stone.” He inspired generations of musicians across genres. Among his British fans were The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton.

“Muddy” was a nickname given to him by his grandmother; as a child he liked to play in the muddy waters of the Mississippi Delta.

---

Honorary Muddy Waters Drive

Reissued 2022. 43rd Street, from South Lake Park Avenue to South Ellis Avenue

 

Approved: June 2022 (reissued)

Ward: 4
Alderman: King
Neighborhood: Bronzeville

b. April 4, 1913 in Mississippi
d. April 30, 1983. Age 70

---

Source
Wikipedia
YouTube - Honorary Chicago playlist

20221616

Shirley Deer

Shirley Deer was a long time resident of the Lawndale neighborhood and a devoted member of the community and of her church. She was also a member of the St. Timothy House of Prayer.

The honorary sign was designated for what would have been her 75th birthday.

Mt. Hebron M.B.C.

---

Honorary Shirley Deer Way

West Grenshaw Street, from South Central Park Avenue to South Homan Avenue (3400 to 3558 West Grenshaw Street)

Approved: Septembe 2022

 

Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: Lawndale

b. August 4, 1947
d. June 22, 1995. Age 47.

---

Source

20222473

William K. Flood

William K. Flood and his brothers founded of one of the few family owned waste hauling companies in Chicago, Flood Brothers Disposal Company in 1970. The original company was O.Z. Miller Disposal of 1963. It grew from one to over 200 trucks. The orange and green trucks Flood Brothers trucks can be seen all over Chicago.

William’s charitable interests included his church, his service on the board member of Daughter of St. Paul, and his involvement in feeding more than 4000 families through annual Christmas food packing.

For his 76th birthday he threw out the first pitch at a Cubs Baseball Game.

Alum:
St. Ignatius High School

---

Honorary William Flood

West 48th Place between South Kedzie Avenue and South Whipple Street

 

Approved: July 2022

Ward: 14
Alderman: Burke
Neighborhood: Archer Heights

d. June 4, 2022. Age 82.

---

Source

https://floodbrothersdisposalchicago.tumblr.com/post/142805246082/grandfather-william-flood-with-grandson-brody-at

20221800

Michael H. Bankston III

Michael Bankston asked a woman if she needed help during a domestic dispute in public. The assailant shot Michael six times.

---

Honorary Michael H. Bankston, III Avenue

West Wrightwood Avenue, at North Logan Boulevard going to North Spaulding Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

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

d. age 25

---

Source

20221760

Magda Ramirez-Castaneda

Magda Ramirez-Castaneda was an activist in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. She co-authored the book, Chicanas of 18th Street: Narratives of a Movement From Latino Chicago. She worked for the City of Chicago for 26 years, including roles in the Department of Family Support Services as a caseworker and in emergency services for the homeless.

She inspired others to run for office, including her nephew who became a Chicago Alderman. She fought for fair housing, labor, immigration, and farm workers, and many anti-discrimination issues. She was inspired by the Chicano movement of the 1960s. While a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she co-founded the Latin American Student Union, and after graduation she co-founded La Raza Unida, Illinois chapter.

Magda was born in Coahuila, Mexico and moved with her family to Chicago at a young age. She lived in the Tri-Taylor Neighborhood, Lincoln Park, and as an adult in Pilsen.

Alum
St. Michaels of Old Town Catholic School
University of Illinois at Chicago

Activist Magda Ramirez-Castañeda, a leader in Pilsen's Chicana movement, has died. "She was a warrior."https://t.co/dLHE0oOYcd pic.twitter.com/cPqgdGJEED

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) August 15, 2019

---

Honorary Magda Ramirez-Castaneda Way

West 18th Street, at South Laflin Street on the northwest comer and going west to South Ashland Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 25, 35
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez, Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Pilsen

b. Coahuila, Mexico
d. age 69 in Chicago

---

Source
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/15/activist-magda-ramirez-castaneda-leader-in-pilsens-chicana-movement-dies-she-was-a-warrior/

20221757

Nicol Walker

Officer Nicol Walker grew up in the Henry Horner Housing Projects of Chicago, and became the kind of police officer that made the neighborhood proud. He would council those he arrested and helped them turn their lives around. As a youth he had been falsely accused and detained by the police for a mugging, instead of having spite for the police, he made up his mind to become the best police officer he could be.

In 2009 he received the Crime Reduction Award and in 2015 a Unit Meritorious Performance Award at the Chicago Police Department. In 2016 he intervened to save the life of a school bus driver who had been hit by a stray bullet.

Alum:
Degree in Criminal Justice

Veteran: Navy, Gulf War

---

Honorary Officer Nicol Walker Way

Jackson Boulevard, between Kildare Avenue and Kostner Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park

---

Source
https://cpdp.co/officer/29819/nicol-walker/

20221600

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

---

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

---

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

20221617

Steven Strauss

Steven Roy Strauss was the owner of the popular Wrigleyville bar, Sluggers World Class Sports Bar & Grill for more than 35 years. At age 27, Steven opened his first Lake View bar called Double Inn. He later opened Cheeks, one of the first LGBTQ bars in the area. He grew up in the business, his father had owned Symphony Liquors on Chicago Avenue.

Sluggers is now owned and operated by Steven’s sons. Additional Sluggers locations are in Orland Park, Vernon Hills, and Denver, Colorado.

Steven grew up in the Peterson Park neighborhood of Chicago.

---

Honorary Steven Strauss Way

North Clark Street from North Addison Street to West Eddy Street

 

Approved: 2022

Ward: 44
Alderman: Tunney
Neighborhood: Wrigleyville

b. May 16, 1945
d. January 28, 2022 Age 76.

Sluggers Bar
3540 N. Clark Street

---

Source
https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3404042/chicago-loses-a-legend-rip-steve-strauss-the-man-behind-sluggers

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/steven-strauss-owner-of-iconic-wrigleyville-bar-sluggers-dies-at-76/2741661/

20221205 SO

Tom O'Rourke and Peggy Barber

Thomas J. O’Rourke, better known as “Cowboy” was a photographer who showcased the Lincoln Park neighborhood where they lived.

Peggy Barber led the Public Information Office of the American Library Association for 30 years, and was the driving force behind successful promotional campaigns such as National Library Week and READ posters which featured celebrities. She was the chairman of the National Coalition for Literacy, and the Community Advisory Board for WBEZ public radio in Chicago.

Together they played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for the neighborhood kids and made sure every child was included.

Alum: Peggy
University of California, Riverside
Rutgers University

---

Honorary Tom O'Rourke and Peggy Barber Way

1800 block of North Fremont Street from Willow to Wisconsin

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 43
Alderman: Smith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Tom
d. 2008

Peggy
d. August 25, 2019. Age 75.
Lung Cancer

---

Source

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/ct-peggy-barber-obituary-20190920-zmahikzubren7lyjzl4hoxha4i-story.html

20221098

Alexandria Lialios

Alexandria Lialios was a first grade teacher in the Chicago Public Schools at the Arthur E. Canty School, where she served for 34 years. She specialized in early childhood development and was a bilingual Greek instructor.

Alum:
Northeastern Illinois University

---

Honorary Alexandria Lialios Way

North Paris Avenue between West Waveland and West Grace

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposato
Neighborhood: Irving Woods

d. February 25, 2022

---

Source
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleka-lialios-46096423/

20221214

Mary Delores Espinosa-Matos

Mary Delores Espinosa-Matos was a preschool teacher at El Hogar del Nino, in the Pilsen neighborhood. She began teaching in 1985 and dedicated her life to helping migrant families.

Alum:

Roosevelt University
Richards Vocational High School

---

Honorary Mary Delores Espinosa-Matos Way

West 19th Street from South Racine Ave to South Allport

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen

b. October 7, 1948 in Chicago
d. February 22, 2002 Age 53.

---

Source

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-02-26-0202260162-story.html

2022832

Louis Albert Fitzgerald, Jr.

Louis Fitzgerald was a life-long civic servant in Chicago. Regional Director of the Midwest Division for the US Department of Labor. He also served on the Chatham Avalon Community Council. Louis was a talk show host of “Conversation Peace” on Channel 26. He also hosted talk radio shows on WIND and WVON.

Veteran: Army

---

Honorary Louis Albert Fitzgerald, Jr. Way

Honore Street, from South 84th Street to South 86th Street

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 21
Alderman: Brookins
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham

b. January 26, 1929 in Chicago
d.

---

Source

2022912

Carlos F. Pagan

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

Alum:

Theodore Roosevelt High School

---

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

---

Source

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

2022843

John E. Byrne

---

Honorary John E. Byrne Way

North Richmond Street from West Montrose Avenue to West Wilson Avenue

The comer of North Manor Avenue and West Giddings Street to West Wilson Avenue (4740 to 4759 North Manor Avenue) *

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Ravenswood Manor

d. August 21, 2021. Age 68

---

Source

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/john-byrne-obituary?id=6335362

2022839

* Location revised and approved December 2022. (20223642)

Steve Cunneen

Steve Cunneen opened his namesake bar on Devon Avenue in 1972. He, and the tavern, were neighborhood staples for 50 years. Steve was a fan of Jazz music and woodworking. He made made many of the bar tables and the stained glass above the door.

Alum:

University of Illinois at Chicago

---

Honorary Steve Cunneen Way

Newgard Avenue between Devon Avenue and Arthur Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 49
Alderman: Hadden
Neighborhood: Rogers Park

b.
d. February 2022. Age 86

Cunneens’s 1424 W. Devon Ave

---

Source

https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/2/17/22929689/steve-cunneen-cunneens-tavern-rogers-park

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/02/17/after-cunneens-owner-steve-cunneen-dies-widow-takes-over-beloved-bar-as-it-turns-50/

https://chibarproject.com/reviews/cunneens/

2022749

Sam Rosen

Sam Rosen, owner of S. Rosen bakery, was the originator of the poppy seed bun which became the chosen container for the Chicago style hot dog. Sam was born in Poland, and emigrated from Germany at he age of 13 as an apprentice baker. Within 3 years he had his own bakery in New York and was organizing a bakers union. By 1909 he moved to Chicago and purchased a bakery in the Bemont Craigin neighborhood, which became his namesake, the S. Rosen Baking Company. It is now owned by the third generation of his family, and is known as the Alpha Baking Company.

---

Honorary Sam Rosen Way

North Kilbourn Avenue from West Lyndale Avenue to West Fullerton Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 36
Alderman: Villegas
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin

b. 1886 in Poland
d. June 1976

---

Source

https://www.srosens.com/about/

2022763

Rudy Malnati, Jr.

Rudy Malnati, Jr. opened Pizano’s Pizza in 1991 in the tradition his father Rudy, Sr. mastered at the original Pizzaria Uno, where the Chicago style deep dish pizza tradition was born in 1943.

His half-brother founded the namesake “Lou Malnati’s Pizzaria.”

Rudy was also a Chicago civic leader who was the Director of the Chicago Air & Water Show for 30 years. He attended every Air & Water Show since it began in Chicago in 1959. He also coordinated the Milwaukee, Gary, and Rockford shows. The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds made him an honorary member of their squadrons.

---

Honorary Rudy Malnati, Jr. Way

State Street from Chestnut to Delaware Street

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 2
Alderman: Hopkins
Neighborhood: Gold Coast

d. December 24, 2021. Age 65

near 864 N. State Street - Pizano’s Pizza

---

Source

https://www.pizanoschicago.com/about-pizanos/

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20211226/rudy-malnati-jr-member-of-pizza-dynasty-director-of-air-and-water-show-dead-at-65

2022476