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222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL, 60654
312-380-9883
Chicago's honorary brown street signs, days, and commemorative honors; the who, what, where, when and why. Honorary Chicago guide book, maps, biographies, history, trivia, tours, and gifts.
Filtering by Tag: 2024
James W. Southward Sr.
Ward: 27
Alderman: Walter Burnett, Jr
Neighborhood: Garfield Park
Source
202410061
Leo Louchios was the founder of the Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation. He also served as a Senior Advisor at the State of Illinois to the Secretary of State Office.
Ward: 34
Alderman: Bill Conway
Neighborhood: West Loop
b. December 10, 1956 in Cyprus
d. August 3, 2023. Age 66
Dedicated: September 5, 2024
for the opening of the Taste of Greektown Festival
Source
202410008
https://www.colonialfuneral.com/obituaries/Leo-C-Louchios?obId=28622051
https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/8/9/23826233/leo-louchios-greektown-adviser-jesse-white-alexi-giannoulias
James B. Lemons was the owner of Lem’s Bar-B-Q, famous for Mississippi style, open pit, slow cooked pork rib tips. The restaurant was established by his older brothers, Bruce and Myles Lemons, in the 195o’s and has been serving Chicago for more than 70 years.
Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Grand Crossing
d. Age 87
Near
Lem’s Bar-B-Q
311 S. 75th Street
Source
20249802
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/6/24/18398334/chicago-bbq-king-james-b-lemons-a-founder-of-lem-s-dies-at-87
https://youtu.be/rN7T3YUljwA?si=4u-dNtuGhn6qrSu4
https://chicago.eater.com/2015/12/15/10232066/james-lemons-lems-bbq-dead
https://www.southernfoodways.org/interview/lems-bar-b-q/
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151215/chatham/james-lemons-bbq-master-behind-lems-bar-b-q-chatham-dies/
http://lemsque.com/
Ronald C. “Topper” Topczewski was a former President of the Polish American Police Association (PAPA). He joined the Chicago police force in 1962 and enjoyed a 32 year career. He served in the US Army from 1963 to 1965. In retirement he worked for Taft High School.
Veteran: Army
Ward: 38
Alderman: Nicholas Sposato
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
b. August 18, 1939
d. December 23, 2023. Age 84
Source
20248860
https://www.skajafuneralhomes.com/obituary/ronald-topper-topczewski
https://youtu.be/YRaXkSoOJRk?si=hCSeTldhZzYNTOME
Lydia Eudora Ashburne Evans, MD had a 65 year career in medicine and was the first black woman licensed as a general practice physician in the state of Virginia, and the first woman to graduate from the medical school at Howard University (1912). She moved to Chicago and established the first south side United Cerebral Palsy clinic.
She lived to be 105 years old.
Alum:
Norfolk Mission College
Howard University Medical School
East Pershing Road from South Martin Luther King Drive to South Vincennes Avenue
Ward: 04
Alderman: Lamont Robinson
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
b. 1887 in Portsmouth, Virginia
d. January 14, 1992. Age 105 in Chicago
Source
20249148
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Eudora_Ashburne
https://www.dailypress.com/1992/01/21/lydia-eudora-ashburne-noted-doctor-dies-at-105/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/01/20/lydia-ashburne-evans-pioneering-black-doctor/
Fernando Miguel DeLeon grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. He was a member of the musical group “Los Perdidos” which had one of it’s songs featured in the Chicago film “Go For It.”
Alumni:
Kelvin Park High School
Funston Elementary
Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Belmont Craigin
b. April 12, 1986 in Puerto Rico
d.May 30, 2020 age 34 in Chicago
near
His home
Source
20249457
Bill Kress grew up in South Chicago and worked on the deep tunnel project and for the City of Chicago Department of Environmental Control, and at the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was also a little league baseball coach.
Alum
Mendel High School
St Pat’s Grammar School
Veteran: Air Force, served in Vietnam
Ward: 10
Alderman: Peter Chico
Neighborhood: East Side
b. September 21, 1948
d. December 20, 2023. Age 75.
near
Sports fields where he coached
He is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery
Source
20249167
https://elmwoodchapel.com/visit-info/obituary.php?id=5631
Ward: 27
Alderman: Walter Burnett, Jr.
Neighborhood:Smith Park/West Loop
Source
20249193
Verlean Perkins was a dedicated member of her community, education, and children. She wasa life long Chicagoan. For 30 years Verlean worked for the Board of Education and was a 15 year contributor to the summer food programs, and a dependable poll worker. She was the chairperson and 20 year volunteer of the Chicago Academic Games League.
She was a “mom” to the neighborhood children and was known as the “Apple Woman” to all who lived near her.
Alumni:
Chicago Public Schools
Member of the Apostolic Church of God
Ward: 20
Alderman: Jeannette Taylor
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
b. April 9, 1934 in Chicago
near
her home
Source
20249171
Dr. Donda West was a professor at Chicago State University for 27 years and the former Chair of the English Department. She was the founder of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing. Donda West was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship, which she served in China. The Dr. Donda West Foundation was established to support underserved youth and encourages teenagers and young adults to stay in school.
Donda ran her house as a gathering place for neighborhood youth to feel welcome and nurtured, and to embrace arts, culture, and education. Che “Rhymefest” Smith described her as the “village mom.” Efforts are underway to continue the tradition she started at her house.
She is author of Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star (2009). Donda is the mother of Kanye West. She retired from academia to manage West Brands, LLC.
“Long before the world knew his [Kanye’s] name, she was shaping him with the same lessons she gave her students: discipline, curiosity, confidence, and the courage to create.”
Alum
Virginia Union University
Clark Atlanta University
Auburn University
Ward: 07
Alderman: Gregory Mitchell
Neighborhood: South Shore
b. July 12, 1949 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
d. November 10, 2007. Age 58, in Los Angeles, California
Near
Her Home - Donda’s House
Sign Dedication: September 22, 2026
Presentation of Cook County Clerk Resolution honoring Dr. Donda West
Dedication speakers: Garrard McClendon, Professor at Chicago State University; Gregory Mitchell, 7th Ward Alderman; Monica Gordon, Cook County Clerk; Che “Rhymefest” Smith; and Leonard “GLC” Harris.
Donda’s House
Honorary Dr Donda West Way
Updated: September 27, 2026
Source
20249679
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donda_West
WBEZ: Keynote Address by Donda West. https://www.wbez.org/2007/10/19/keynote-address-dr-donda-west-on-raising-kanye
https://www.wbez.org/arts-culture/2026/09/22/donda-west-way-south-shore-street-renaming
https://www.youtube.com/live/xLValxJGA0A?si=Udcn4jpIlXiG2ooD
https://www.youtube.com/live/xLValxJGA0A?si=riU-igFID6F2z5QO
https://www.csu.edu/english/gwenbrooks.htm
https://fulbrightprogram.org/about/
https://crlmag.com/resource-guide/donda-west/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/22/kanye-west-returns-to-south-shore-for-street-renaming-in-honor-of-his-late-mother/
YouTube. Honorary Chicago playlist. Donda West https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnO1iS8LlpeC4bkmMSltAFPNIYOpg3HCw
William Friedkin was an Academy Award winning director and screenwriter. His 1971 film, The French Connection, won multiple Academy Awards; his 1973 film and horror movie classic, The Exorcist, was nominated for Best Director.
After high school he worked at WGN-TV and WTTW; shortly thereafter he started producing documentaries and films.
Academy Awards
The French Connection (1972 Best Director)
The Exorcist (1974 Nomination for Best Director)
Alum
Senn High School
5855 to 5920 North Ridge Avenue
Ward: 48
Alderman: Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
Neighborhood: Edgewater
b. August 29, 1935 in Chicago
d. August 7, 2023. Age 87
near
Senn High School
Sign Dedication: June 10, 2024 at the corner of Ardmore and Ridge
Photo: Honorary William Friedkin Way - HonoraryChicago.com / Linda Zabors
Source
20248596
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Friedkin
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001243/awards/
https://news.wttw.com/2023/08/07/chicago-native-william-friedkin-oscar-winning-director-exorcist-and-french-connection
https://youtu.be/HNgqpZqonOI?si=o8GX7ZgYxNQMO5zd
Police Officer Thor Odin Soderberg died in the line of duty during and armed robbery. He had served in the Chicago Police Department for 11 years, since 1999, and was an instructor at the Police Academy. His assailant was injured, arrested, and sentenced to life in prison.
A K-9 statue was dedicated in his honor at the Chicago Police Academy.
His widow established July 7th, the date of his death, as Pay It Forward Day in his honor and to remember him for how he lived, through small daily acts of kindness.
Veteran: Army
1300 block of West Jackson Boulevard from South Throop Street to South Loomis Street
Ward: 38
Alderman: Nicholas Sposato
Neighborhood: West Loop
d. July 7, 2010
near
Chicago Police Training Division
Source
20248859
https://www.odmp.org/officer/20446-police-officer-thor-odin-soderberg
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3278824992160859&set=a.204649096245146&paipv=0&eav=Afb1Pxp2hGc_KQhFJ61KF7sChaV2KGDtayjsdflhBsO__pEDLDjtenLm5mU1rRn2qjg
https://youtu.be/wHsqJAhhbn4?si=60wcwkRrZ8mx1cMa
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/07/you-can-honor-slain-police-officer-thor-soderberg-with-small-acts-of-kindness-thursday-widow-says/
https://rememberingthor.com/
Colleen J. Flood was the owner of the Four Treys Tavern and helped to establish the neighborhood of Roscoe Village. She also initiated the “Retro on Roscoe” Festival and Car Show, as well as Winterfest and the Halloween Parade. She moved to Roscoe Village in 1979 and opened a beauty salon. Over the years she bought additional buildings and rental units in the area and established it as a family friendly and dog friendly neighborhood.
Alum
Carl Schurz High School (Chicago)
North Damen Avenue between West Henderson Street and West Roscoe Street
Ward: 32
Alderman: Scott Waguespack
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
b. August 22, 1944
d. September 19, 2023. Age 79
near
Four Treys Tavern
3333 N. Damen
Source
20248766
https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/10/13/23916149/colleen-flood-owner-of-the-four-treys-tavern-who-helped-revitalize-roscoe-village-dead-at-79
https://www.facebook.com/fourtreys/
https://www.instagram.com/fourtreys/
Winnie Maureen Ryan and her sister, Lucy Claire, had an extremely rare form of mitochondrial disease which led to her progressive decline and death at the age of 6. It is estimated that fewer than 20 people worldwide had this particular gene mutation (FDXR).
The “Rally4Ryan Sisters” campaign raised funds and awareness for their care.
South Christiana Avenue between West 105th Street and West 105th Place
Ward: 19
Alderman: Matthew O’Shea
Neighborhood: Mt. Greenwood
b. March 13, 1917
d. February 29, 2024. Age 6
Source
20248938
https://www.asimplestreaming.com/wmryan/
https://www.oneforthekids.org/family/the-ryan-family/
https://rally4ryansisters.com/
http://www.umdf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1263551340924118
Listen to this great segment by Jessica Pupovac featuring “Honorary Swami Vivekananda Way.”
Linda Zabors of Honorary Chicago was interviewed for this article.
May 9, 2024
WBEZ Chicago’s NPR station 91.5 FM
Honorary Chicago blog post on Honorary Swami Vivekananda Way
https://www.instagram.com/p/C67SqSmrYkQ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
David Gonzales, aka. Boogie, left his life in a street gang and became a peace activist after the violent death of his brother. He was an active member of the Chicago Chicano Movement in the 1970s and negotiated truces between gangs. In 1973 he became the victim of a drive by shooting between rival gangs.
There is a mural in the Pilsen neighborhood dedicated in his honor on the corner of 18th Street and Throop Street. It was restored in 2021 by artist Salvador Vega.
South Throop Street from West 18th Street to West 19th Street
Ward: 25
Alderman: Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen
d. June 19, 1973
Source
20248328
https://hue.crc.nd.edu/pilsen/murals/boogie-gonzalez-memorial/
https://www.wbez.org/stories/an-iconic-pilsen-mural-is-being-restored-to-carry-on-the-legacy-of-a-slain-peace-activist/95621445-7c1a-45a5-ba64-f027d05b7615
https://youtu.be/WNIvczXZNhk?si=perwVQ9ayNp9dlGA
Keith O. Tate was a leader of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) for more than 20 years. A community organization dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors through education, housing, and business. He also worked at the University of Illinois Medical Center for 25 years, and also Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Gary, Indiana.
CAPCC was co-founded in 1955 by Elwin Tate, who brought Keith to meetings and had him involved from a young age. In 1987 hundreds of residents were joined by Mayor Harold Washington in Cole Park to support a community development initiative which succeeded in raising money to buy and revitalize vacant properties; the event was featured on the television news program 60 Minutes. Through the years CAPCC attracted national retailers and black owned movie theaters to the community.
Alum
Colorado State University
Hales Franciscan High School
St. Dorothy Elementary School
East 79th Street between South Rhodes Avenue and South Lawrence Avenue
Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Chatham
b. April 14, 1949
d. December 17, 2018. Age 69
Source
20247805
https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2019/feb/20/keith-ovid-tate-shining-star-greater-chatham-commu/
Coleman Brothers barbershops have been a fixture in the community for generations. The Colemans were father figures and older brothers to the neighborhood. They helped youth stay in school, pursue careers, and take care of family.
The brothers arrived in Chicago from Alabama in 1955 as part of the Great Migration of African-Americans from the southern states.
There were two locations:
63rd and Dorchester (Stephen and Ernest) closed
68th and Stony Island (est. 1963. James and Richard)
Through the years families as well as celebrities have been long time customers of Coleman Brothers. This quintessential south side Chicago barber shop has been a destination for more than 55 years.
6800 South Stony Island to South Harper Avenue
Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: South Shore
d. 2018. Age 88 James. 2016 Richard
near
Coleman Brothers Barber Shop
6802 S. Stony Island
Source
20248190
https://www.wbez.org/stories/it-was-the-place-to-be-to-have-conversations-barbershop-remembers-owner-james-g-coleman/cb426376-c5ad-4b44-aca0-4c761a614a83
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/5/7/18348367/founder-of-popular-south-side-barbershop-dies
https://youtu.be/3NJUYR6regQ?si=9YG2uyrmjRgc7lzY
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/richard-coleman-obituary?pid=180503850
James “Jimbo” Svec had served as a police officer in the Chicago Police Department for 20 years when he contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty and died as a result.
South Kolmar Avenue between West 77th Place and West 79th Street
Ward: 18
Alderman: Derrick Curtis
Neighborhood: Ashburn
b. October 15, 1962
d. December 8, 2021. Age 59
near
his home since 1989
Source
20248242
https://odmp.org/officer/26486-police-officer-james-svec
https://memorials.lawnfh.com/james-svec/4799241/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-police-memorial-honoring-fallen-officers/
https://abc7chicago.com/james-svec-chicago-police-officer-covid-19-south-kolmar-avenue/14662716/
https://abc7chicago.com/community-events/street-named-in-honor-of-cpd-officer-who-died-from-covid-complications/14662716/
Jimmie Earl Storey became the Pastor of Sunrise Baptist Church in 1990 and served there for 32 years. He oversaw the building of their current location in 1997 and added a community center in 2007. He retired from his corporate career in Information Technoloogy in 2013, and pursued ministry full-time.
Alum
Libby Elementary School
Gage Park High School
Illinois Institute of Technology.
South Central Park Avenue and West Grenshaw Street
Ward: 24
Alderman: Monique Scott
Neighborhood: Homan Square
b. September 15, 1954 in Mississippi
d. August 31, 2023
near
Sunrise Baptist Church
1101 S. Central Park Avenue
Source
20248377
http://www.sunrisebaptistchurch.org/pastor-leaders-page
https://everloved.com/life-of/jimmie-storey/obituary/
https://www.smithandthomas.com/obituary/jimmie-storey
