Betty Jo Swanson

Betty Jo Swanson was very involved in the Auburn Gresham community where she volunteered for organizations such as: Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), the Neighborhood Housing Service, 6th District Committees, and the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.

Betty Jo moved to Chicago in 1955. Before retiring in 1976, she worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for 27 years. She was a member of the New Friendship Baptist Church.

Alum
Parker High School

---

Honorary Betty Jo Swanson’s WAY

8000 South Carpenter Street

 

Approved: September 2023

Ward: 17
Alderman: David Moore
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham

b. January 22, 1943 in Arkansas
d. January 22, 2023. Age 80

---

Source

20232360

https://www.gagdc.org/news/3863

https://youtu.be/r2yKRRzwxgg?si=6NpqDunZPkCAKIGE

Jerry Hart CFD

Gerald “Jerry” Hart was a Chicago Fire Department Communications Supervisor for 34 years.

---

Honorary Jerry Hart WAY

North Ozark Avenue between West Touhy Avenue and West Lunt Avenue

 

Approved: July 2023

Ward: 41
Alderman: Anthony Napolitano
Neighborhood: Edison Park

d. March 8, 2021. Age 57

---

Source

20231229

https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/gerald-hart-obituary?id=7265249

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20191678/jerry-hart

Mateo Zastro

Mateo Zastro was 3-years old when his mother’s car was caught in gunfire from a nearby road rage incident. He was the only one of the passengers, including his mother and 3 siblings, who were hit.

---

Honorary Mateo Zastro WAY

South Kildare Avenue between 6800 and 6900

 

Approved: July 2023

Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: West Lawn

d. September 30, 2022. Age 3

---

Source

20231203S

https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2024/04/01/chicago-police-3-year-old-boy-killed-mateo-zastro-grief-unsolved-slaying-city-hall-west-lawn-crime

https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/9/30/23381543/3-year-old-boy-shot-killed-west-lawn-drive-by-marquette-kenneth-mateo-zastro-chicago

Areanah M. Preston

Officer Areanah M. Preston had been a Chicago Police Officer for 3 years when she was robbed and murdered outside her home as she returned from a shift. She died days before her graduation from Law School; her diploma was received in a special recognition on the stage at graduation by her family.

Alum
Loyola University
Chicago Police Academy

---

Honorary Officer Areanah M. Preston WAY

South Blackstone Avenue between 81st Street and 82nd Street

 

Approved: July 2023

Ward: 08
Alderman: Michelle Harris
Neighborhood: Avalon Park

b. June 7, 1998
d. May 6, 2023. Age 24

---

Source

20231215

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/loved-ones-honor-life-of-fallen-cpd-officer-1-year-after-murder/

https://youtu.be/A4MnwKq1-B0?si=dlsWh2gMPIJude71

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oak-lawn-il/areanah-preston-11283050

Leon D. Finney, Jr.

Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. was the publisher of the Woodlawn Observer, a real estate developer, a community organizer, a professor, and Pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. He worked on local and national political campaigns and provided deep support of the Woodlawn community. In 1969 he was the President of the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority, and was a board member of Chicago Planning Commission.

He moved to Chicago from Mississippi as a child. His father, Leon, Sr., was the namesake owner of the Chicago-famous Leon’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.

Veteran: Marines

Alum
Goddard College
McCormick Theological Seminary
Nova University
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Hyde Park Academy High School

---

Honorary Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. WAY

East 63rd Street between South Stony Island Avenue and South Blackstone Avenue

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: Woodlawn

b. July 7, 1938 in Mississippi
d, September 4, 2020. Age 82

---

Source

20231659
2020

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

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-dr-leon-d-finney-jr

https://abc7chicago.com/leon-finney-rev-dr-death/6580115/

James W. Cole

James W. Cole was known as the “Shoe Shine King.” He gave the community and returning citizens the opportunity to learn the craft, and the personal service of shoe care and repair. He owned and operated Shine King for more than 57 years. Eventually he bought the buiding and rented out other shops to various businesses.

His shoe shine clients included former Mayors and Barak Obama.

He was born in Tennessee and moved to Chicago as a young boy.

Alum
Marshall High School

---

Honorary James W. Cole WAY

North Central Avenue between West Fulton Street and West Corcoran Place

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 29
Alderman: Chris Taliaferro
Neighborhood: Austin

d. 2022, Age 78

near
Shine King
338 N. Central Ave

---

Source

20232094,1675

https://chicagodefender.com/james-cole-the-owner-of-chicagos-shoe-shine-king-dead-at-78/

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/18/james-cole-the-west-sides-shoe-shine-king-who-helped-his-neighbors-find-work-dies-at-78/

https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/7/11/23204026/shine-king-founder-james-cole-obituary

https://chicagocrusader.com/west-sides-shine-king-james-cole-dies-at-78/

https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2018/07/11/james-cole-50-years-the-shoe-shine-king/

Lola Navarro

Lola Navarro was an activist in the Latino community of Chicago who advocated for peaceful protests. She organized picketing in the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods to bring living standards and hiring practices to the attention of the attention of city transportation and education departments. She was influenced by Saul Alinsky and in turn influenced Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

She and her family were the subject of a documentary on the life of a Mexican family in Chicago called La Rasa: a Portrait of a Family (1972) by Susan Stechnij as part of her Master’s thesis at UIC

---

Honorary Lola Navarro WAY

South Komensky Avenue between South 31st Street and South 32nd Street

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 22
Alderman: Michael Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

---

Source

20231610,1665

https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/jesus-chuy-garcias-journey-from-a-village-in-mexico-to-the-race-against-mayor-emanuel/

https://youtu.be/Yieyac2B3Dg?si=sMaMvZ70mIOC4bLn

Carmen V. Gaspar

---

Honorary Carmen V. Gaspar WAY

South Millard between West 28th Street and West 30th Street

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 22
Alderman: Michael Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

---

Source

20232183,1664,780R

Terry Miller

Terry Miller grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago and trained at Great Lakes Naval Reserve. He worked for the Department of Aviation and the Illinois Department of Transportation, driving trucks and maintaining roads.

Veteran: Marines and Reserves

Alum
St. Rita’s High School
St. George’s Grammar School
St. Agnes’ Grammar School

---

Honorary Terry Miller WAY

South Meade Avenue between 5600 and 5700

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 13
Alderman: Marty Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing

d. September 2022 from Cancer

---

Source

20232049,1663

Rockymore

---

Honorary Rockymore WAY

East Bennett Avenue between South 71st Street and South 72nd Street

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 07
Alderman: Mitchell Gregory
Neighborhood: South Shore

---

Source

20232074,1660

Mac and Louise Irvin

McGlother "Mac" Irvin was considered the “Godfather“of Chicago club basketball. He launched the Mac Irvin Fire, basketball club to highlight Chicago talent and setup a traveling team, which was sponsored by Nike in 1992. Many players went on to the NBA. He also founded the Mac Irvin Foundation to make a positive impact on at risk youth through basketball.

His wife, Louise Irvin was the manager of the program until her death in 2019. He worked for Xerox company before starting the Club; they raised 6 children on the South Side of Chicago. The Foundation and Club are being continued by the Irvin children.

Fernwood Park Basketball Courts were dedicated in his honor in 2012.

---

Honorary McGlother "Mac" Irvin WAY

South Parnell Avenue from West 109th Street to West 111th Street

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 21
Alderman: Howard Brookins, Jr., (amended September) Ronnie Mosely
Neighborhood: Pullman

d. 2011. Age 74

Sign dedication: September 23, 2023

---

Source

20231313
20121108

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mcglother-mac-irvin-basketball-courts

https://www.jcoydenreports.com/chicagohonorsgodfathermacirvin

https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2380/chicago-mourns-passing-of-mac-irvin

https://www.foreverfire.org/about-us

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4430661

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/12/24/mac-irvin-godfather-of-chicago-basketball-dies/

Prince Asiel Ben Israel

Prince Asiel Ben Israel (born Warren Brown) was the owner of the Original Soul Vegetarian restaurant (now Soul Veg City), which served vegan food on the South Side of Chicago and opened in 1981. The restaurant has continued on under the guidance of his children. It is one of the earliest black-owned vegan restaurants in the country. It promotes healthy, plant-based diets to prevent chronic disease.

He was also a member of the African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem and studied in several countries. He served as an advisor to the World Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, and was a member of the African American Clergy Network of Chicago. He served to support Black populations in North America, Africa, and Israel.

Alum
DePaul University
Dunbar Vocational High School, Chicago

---

Honorary Prince Asiel Ben Israel WAY

East 75th Street between South Indiana Avenue and South Prairie Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. April 30, 1941 in Chicago
d. August 21, 2022. Age 81

near
Soul Veg City Restaurant
201-209 E 75th Street

---

Source

20231260

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/prince-asiel-ben-israel

https://www.soulvegcity.com/about

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/9/2/23334949/prince-asiel-ben-israel-chicago-black-hebrew-leader-memorial-service

https://www.blackjews.org/prince-asiel-ben-israel/

Nicholas Miceli

Nicholas Miceli was only two years old when he died from Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) cancer. Gold ribbons adorned the streets of the Southwest side neighborhood of the Miceli family.

His mother, Khrissy Miceli is an English and Language Arts teach at Clissold Elementary School. Her students helped raise money to “Help Nick Kick Cancer!”

---

Honorary Nicholas Miceli WAY

West 107th Place between South Lawndale Avenue and South Millard Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 19
Alderman: Matthew O’Shea
Neighborhood: West Beverly

d. May 3, 2019. Age 2

---

Source

20231262

https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/top_story/article_b56ccf8a-8167-11e9-baac-5be6745721e1.html

https://www.stbaldricks.org/kids/mypage/9429

https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/top_story/article_bc0202e4-556a-11e9-b1fd-673a9d40a982.html

Anthony Canadeo

Anthony Canadeo played football for the Green Bay Packers, where he was outstanding at rushing the ball down the field, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and played college football for the Gonzaga University Bulldogs in Colorado where he was known as the “Gray Ghost of Gonzaga” due to his prematurely gray hair. After retiring from the Packers after the 1952 season he became a sportscaster for games on WBAY-TV in Green Bay. in 1971 he received at kidney transplant from his son. Anthony lived until the age of 84 in 2003.

Veteran: Army WWII

Alum
Gonzaga University, Colorado
Steinmetz High School, Chicago
Foreman High School, Chicago

---

Honorary Anthony Canadeo WAY

West Diversey Avenue between North Oak Park Avenue to North Rutherford Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Elmwood Park

b. 1919
d. 2003. Age 84

---

Source

20231314

https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/canadeo-anthony-robert-tony

Mollystrong

Molly Morris was an 8-year old girl who died from kidney cancer in 2023. Her life and struggle were captured on social media with #MollyStrong and with orange ribbons around her Norwood Park neighborhood.

Alum
St. Monica Academy

---

Honorary Mollystrong WAY

West Berwyn Avenue between North Newland Avenue to North Nordica Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 41
Alderman: Anthony Napolitano
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

d. 2023. Age 8

---

Source

20231320

https://youtu.be/EtQgaiA4kMQ?si=B1VBe0cb2m-lD90z

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/8-year-old-girl-at-center-of-mollystrong-movement-dies-of-cancer-family-announces-in-emotional-post/3067812/

George W. Beary

George Beary was the Vice President of the Firefighters Union Local 2; he retired in 2005 after 38 years. He was part of a group which sued the makers of sirens (some of which can reach 120 decibels) over hearing loss.

---

Honorary George W. Beary WAY

West Illinois Street, from North Dearborn Street to North Clark Street

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 42
Alderman: Brendan Reilly
Neighborhood: River North

b. 1943
d. 2022

---

Source

20231335

https://www.iaff2.org/last-alarm/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/12/21/firefighters-sue-siren-maker-over-hearing-loss/

https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/george-beary/

Reverend C. B. Taylor

Reverend Charles B. Taylor was a Baptist minister and the owner of the Taylor Funeral home, which he started in 1963. In 1982 he bought Oak Hill Cemetery Association in Gary, Indiana. The Reverend was driven by mission and entrepreneurial spirit; he made multiple and varied investments in business and faith on the south and west sides of Chicago.

He also started a wide variety of businesses, including: Thrifty Printing (1975), American Monument Company, Atlas Auctioneers, Taylor Coach, and multiple auto sales and rebuilders. Reverend Taylor was also a pilot.

He has decades of civic involvement and service in the Baptist Church, Schools, Masons, Shriners, and the funeral director business.

Reverend Taylor was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and came to Chicago in 1948. He served for 22 years in the Illinois National Guard, where he achieved the rank of First Sergeant.

Veteran: National Guard

Alum;
Prairie State College
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Jackson State College, Mississippi

---

Honorary Reverend C. B. Taylor WAY

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
d. June 30, 2022. Age 93

near C.B. Taylor Funeral Home
63 E. 79th Street

---

Source

20231149

https://www.cbtaylorfuneralhome.com/

Ciro "Tony" Ortez

---

Honorary Ciro "Tony" Ortez WAY

Northeast corner of North Albany Avenue and West Diversey Avenue to the Northwest corner of West Diversey Avenue and North Sacramento Avenue

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Logan Square

---

Source

2023988

Ernest & Gloria Jenkins

Ernest “Ernie” & Gloria Jenkins were founding members of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA), a community development corporation since 1973. The group serves the Lawndale neighborhood and provides juvenile justice intervention for at risk youth, and food for families. Ernie was CEO of WACA until 2009

Ernest served in the US Air Force. Ernest and Gloria worked as a consultants in market research and human relations and sensitivity training. Ernest became Executive Director of Programs for West YMCA: Austin and Southside YMCA, and in 1971 joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to organize community self-help groups. He has won numerous awards for his service.

Gloria was a social worker at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) and led a program for at-risk teenage girls. She was Executive Director of Urban Programs West YMCA and later served various roles at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She served in an advisory capacity for multiple organizations promoting African-Americans and women.

Veteran: Ernest - US Air Force

Alum
Ernest: Aurora University (formerly George Williams College)
Gloria: Governors State University

Faith
Chicago Temple United Methodist Church

---

Honorary Mrs. Ernest & Gloria Jenkins WAY

West Ogden Avenue, between Central Park and Millard Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: North Lawndale

b. Ernest: Dec 30 1929. Mississippi
Gloria: in Chicago

d. Gloria: January 3, 2006
Ernest: January 2, 2018

Near: Westside Association for Community Action (WACA)
3600 W. Ogden

---

Source

2023986
IL-100-SR1294
IL-94-SR0566

https://wacanetwork.org/

Sam Bell

Sam Bell was a long time volunteer for the Midtown Educational Foundation where he tutored students, led successful fundraising efforts, and supported programs and networks for a wide range of populations and interests. He was well known and well regarded and appreciated for the personal support and kindness he showed everyone he met.

Sam died in a bicycle accident. A Ghost Bike has been dedicated in his memory at the crash site

Alum
Eastern Illinois University

---

Honorary Sam Bell WAY

Northwest corner of West Rice Street and North Wood Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 1
Alderman: LaSpata
Neighborhood: West Town

b. 1978. Galesberg, IL
d. September 8, 2022. Age 44

---

Source

2023983

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/13/bicyclist-sam-bell-killed-by-driver-in-river-west-was-a-friend-to-all-and-a-mentor-to-chicago-kids/

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/30/ghost-bike-installed-in-river-west-for-sam-bell-bicyclist-killed-on-milwaukee-avenue/