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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 Category: street
Martin Campo was the owner of the popular Italian restaurant, Mart Anthony.
Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: West Town
Near
Mart Anthony Restaurant
1200 W. Hubbard
In 1934 Italian immigrants to Chicago started a social organization after the patron saint ot their town of origin, Cinisi, Italy. The Santa Fara society expanded to chapters in New York and Detroit.
Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposato
Neighborhood: Dunning
Near
Society Santa Fara di Cinisi
7524 W. Addison Street
Source
Honorary Street Sign Dedication - October 3, 2020 in Chicago
Ward: 30
Alderman: Reboyras
Neighborhood: Polish Village
Dedicated: October 3, 2020
Near
Polish Heritage Center Building
5835 W. Diversey Avenue
Anthony Pappalas was a seven year old who died from a rare form of brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
When the sign was dedicated the neighborhood was decorated in ribbons of Orange (Anthony’s favorite color) and Grey (the color for brain cancer).
The Defeat DIPG Network Chicago branch is called “Anthony’s Avengers.”
Ward: 19
Alderman: O’Shea
Neighborhood: Mt Greenwood
Margaret Dunne Hartigan was a long time resident of the Rogers Park neighborhood and a very active civic leader. She held several board memberships in a wide range of community institutions supporting education, and the arts. This included: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Sacred Heart Schools, St. Ignatius College Prep, Northwestern University, DePaul University, Loyola University, Rosemont College, Georgetown University, The Rogers Park Community Council, The Chicago Community Trust Executive Committee, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Harris Theater, John F. Kennedy Center, The American Cancer Society, 49th Ward Democratic Party.
Approved: September 2018
Ward: 49
Alderman: Moore
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
b. 1940. New York
d. June 28, 2003. Age 63
Near
Her former residence on Albion
Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Source
“Jerry” Kehoe was everyone’s favorite neighbor and fix-it-guy.
Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposado
Neighborhood: Portage Park
Source
Facebook: For the Love of Jerry
Isa, Isabel Lopez, was a teenager and dancer who died from cancer. Her image was featured in a national awareness campaign for the American Cancer Society.
Alumni
Byrne Elementary School
Queen of Peace High School
St. Lawrence High School
Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge
Dedicated: September 20, 2019
b. February 13, 2000
d. September 2017
Ward: 30
Alderman: Reboyas
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin
Edward G. Irvin was a journalist and founder of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraterity. The Edward G. Irvin Foundation was founded in 2001, it is the philanthropic division of the Chicago Alumni of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Ward: 20
Alderman: Cochran
Neighborhood: Englewood
b. 1893. Indiana
d. 1983
Martha Lavey was the Artistic Director of Chicago’s famous Steppenwolf Theater Company for twenty years. She was also an actor. Her first performance with Steppenwolf was in 1981 a production of “Savages” by John Malkovitch. Martha appeared in many productions in Chicago theater including: Goodman, Victory Gardens, Remains, and Northlight Theaters. She joined the company at Steppenwolf in 1993 and became the Artistic Director in 1995. During this time Steppenwolf became a theater which introduced Tony Award winning productions and performances destined for Broadway. It became an an incubator and launching pad for new works and highly acclaimed remakes established works.
Alumni
Northwestern University, BS, MA, Doctorate
YouTube, Honorary Chicago Playlist: Martha Lavey
Approved: 2017
Ward: 43
Alderman: Smith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
b. February 20, 1957. Kansas
d. April 2017. Age 60. Chicago
Near
Steppenwolf Theater
1650 N. Halsted
Lance Corporal Donald Frank Sansone served in the Vietnam War and died in battle.
Veteran: Marines, Vietnam
Alumni
St. Edwards School
Schurz High School (Football Lineman of the Year)
Approved: 2017
Ward: 45
Alderman: Arena
Neighborhood: Portage Park
b. July 26, 1948
d. November 6, 1967. Age 19. Vietnam
Near
His residence
Approved: May 2018
Ward: 25
Alderman: Solis
Neighborhood: Little Italy
b. September 29, 1980
d. September 3, 2017. Age 36
Near
Pompei Bakery
1531 W. Taylor Street
Willie Pickens was a famous Chicago Jazz Pianist. His wife Irma, was his producer.
He taught music theory and performance throughout his career including: a collaboration between public high schools and Ravinia, and at Northern Illinois University.
Other collaborations included major Jazz Festivals around the world, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and the Willie Pickens Trio.
YouTube playlist: Willie Pickens. Honorary Chicago channel
Willie - Alumni
Milwaukee Conservatory of Music
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Veteran: U.S. Army, Army band -Clarinet
Ward: 5
Alderman: Hairston
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Dedicated: December 2, 2018
Willie
b. 1931. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
d. December 2017. Age 86
Irma
d. 2015
Near
Their residence for more than 40 years
Mural of Willie Pickens by artist Desi Mundo, between the auditorium doors of Ray School
5631 S. Kimbark Avenue
Henrietta was the pastor of the New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church and a community leader in the Englewood neighborhood for fifty years. She became pastor in 1974. She had been an active member of the church for several years before she was called to the ministry. Henrietta led a range of programs for the community health and wellbeing, and Bible study, and started a Women’s Day in 1968.
Ward: 16
Alderman: Foulkes
Neighborhood: Englewood
d. March 6, 2001
Near
6201 S. May Street
New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church
Source
Emiliano and Judith Cruz were great neighbors to the Humboldt Park neighborhood. They were born in Puerto Rico.
Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Source
Rita Simo was the founder of the People’s School of Music in Chicago, an organization offering free music lessons to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Rita was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to attend the Julliard School of Music. She took her vows as a Catholic nun and taught music at Rosary College. She left the order to fulfill her dream of opening her own music school. In 1976 she started the People’s Music School in a former beauty salon, staffed by volunteers and the donation of a baby grand piano. The school expanded to Bronzeville, Back of the Yards and Albany Park neighbohoods. Rita retired in 2001. She remained a board member of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus and a Life Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
YouTube playlist: Rita Simo. Honorary Chicago
Alumni
Julliard School of Music
Boston University, D.M.A. Music Performance
Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Uptown
Ceremony: 2002
b. 1934. Dominican Republic
d. September 22, 2020. Age 86. Chicago
Theresa was a long time physical education instructor for the Chicago Park District at Sherman Park. She also has a decorating service, Theresa’s Gifted Handz Decorating.
Alumni
Tilden Tech High School
Illinois State University
Ward: 20
Alderman: Cochran
Neighborhood: Back of the Yards
Near
Sherman Park
Unveiling: April 22, 2017
Reverend Homer Gardner was the pastor of the Sun Rise Missionary Baptist Church. After serving in the Army, he moved to Chicago in 1957 and was an active member of the Church including Sunday School teacher, choir, treasurer, and Deacon. Until his retirement in 2000, he had a career as a metallurgist in the metals and steel industry. Homer was called to the ministry in 1977. He served as Pastor of Sun Rise Baptist Church from 1978 until his retirement in 2016.
Alumni
Army Academy
Illinois Institute of Technology, Metalurgy
LaSalle Extension University, Law
Carolina University of Theology, Masters
Veteran: Army
Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park
b. July 29, 1937 in Mississippi, Tallahatchie County
d. March 23, 2019
Near
Sun Rise Baptist Church
351 S. Kilbourn Avenue
Source
For fourty-seven years, Edward Schmit was the owner of the Teddy Bear Day Care, which grew to six centers in the Southwest Chicago area including Little Bear for infants and the Big Bear Day Camp program. He was on the board of directors of the St. Rita High School (his Alma Mater), and the Valentine Boys & Girls Club. Ed had retired from the Continental Can Company where he worked in facilities. He had been a benefactor to the Gage Park baseball and to the neighborhood throughout his life; Ed grew up in Gage Park, and where he and his wife raised their five children.
Alumni
St. Rita’s High School, 1963
It‘s with sadness that we announce the passing of St. Rita graduate and longtime member of the St. Rita Board of Directors, Mr. Ed J. Schmit Jr. '63. Our condolences go to the entire Schmit family.
— St. Rita Chicago (@StRitaHS) July 22, 2020
Ed truly was a Ritaman and his love and support of St. Rita will live on forever pic.twitter.com/C8IW10wq2k
Ward: 14
Alderman: Burke
Neighborhood: Gage Park
b.March 30, 1945
d. July 2020. Age 75
Near
Teddy Bear Day Care
2649 W 51st St