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

Bruce J. Graham Way

Bruce Graham was a famous Chicago architect who designed buildings all over the world. He grew up in Puerto Rico to Canadian and Peruvian parents. He came to Chicago and apprenticed for Holabird and Root architects; most of his career was at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) where he and structural engineer, Falzur Khan were an outstanding team. In Chicago they built the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) and the John Hancock Building (875 N. Michigan Avenue). He was one of the contributors to the Chicago 21 plan of 1973.

Alumni
University of Pennsylvania, Architecture

Veteran: U.S. Navy

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Honorary Bruce J. Graham Way

Chestnut Street between Mies van der Rohe Way and Michigan Avenue

 

Approved: 2010

Ward: 42
Alderman: Reilly
Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile/Gold Coast

b. December 1, 1925. Columbia, South America
d. March 10, 2010. Age 84. Florida
burial: Graceland Cemetery, Chicago

Near
John Hancock Building
875 North Michigan Avenue

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Source

New York Times

Emiliano and Judith Cruz Way

Emiliano and Judith Cruz were great neighbors to the Humboldt Park neighborhood. They were born in Puerto Rico.

Honorary Mr. & Mrs. Emiliano & Judith Cruz Way

1200 to 1400 North California Avenue

 

Approved: 2018

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

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Source

Joseph Muntaner Way

Joseph Muntaner was a construction contractor and super volunteer to the 1st Ward and his church, St. Bonaventure. He was very dedicated and loyal and took his work very seriously, whether it was shoveling snow or removing graffiti.

Alumni:
Mather High School

Born in Chicago

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Honorary Joseph Muntaner Way

West Diversey between North Leavitt Street and Western Avenue

 

Approved: 2018

Ward: 1
Alderman: Moreno
Neighborhood: Logan Square

b. August 19, 1958. Chicago
d. May 14, 2017. Chicago

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Source

Joseph Muntaner

Neftali Reyes, Jr. Way

Neftali “Buzzo” Reyes was 19 years old, he graduated with honors from Roberto Clemente High School in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. He was a star athlete and an outstanding sportsman for the Wildcats. It was his dream to be a Major League Baseball Pitcher. Neftali was on a full scholarship at Claflin University in South Carolina. He was at home in Chicago for the holidays and recovering from a sports injury when a stranded friend called in need of a ride late one night. Neftali became the innocent victim of a shooting.

Alumni:
Roberto Clemente Community Academy High School

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Honorary Netfali “Buzzo” Reyes, Jr. Way

1000 and 1100 blocks of West Luis Muniz Marin Drive

 

Approved: April 2020

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

b. May 3, 1998. Chicago
d. December 29, 2017. Age 19.

Near
Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park

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Source

Javier 'Javy' Baez Way

Javier Baez plays for the Chicago Cubs baseball team and was a crucial part of the team's historic World Series win in 2016.

Honorary Javier "Javy" Baez Way was dedicated on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 and drew a huge crowd of adults and children from the proud Puerto Rican community and beyond, most were wearing Chicago Cubs hats, shirts, jackets, and Javy's jersey number 9.  

"Congratulations Javier Baez" cake from a local bakery

Fan wearing Javier Baez Cubs jersey number 9 and flying the flag of Puerto Rico

The sign stands in Humboldt Park in front of "Little Cubs Field" and also at the Division Street entrance to the park on Luis Munoz Marin Drive.

 

The sign dedication was hosted by Alderman Roberto Maldonado and attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Ward: 26
Alderman: Roberto Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Sign Dedication Ceremony: April 11, 2017