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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
Mike Hughes was a 34 year retired veteran of the Chicago Police Department
South Talman Avenue, between West 108th Street and West 109th Street
Ward: 19
Alderman: O'‘Shea
Neighborhood: Beverly
d. February 4, 2022. Age 70.
Source
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/michael-hughes-obituary?id=32787087
20222674
Matt Hooker was a wrestling coach who succumbed to cancer in the prime of his life and career.
Alum:
Mt. Carmel High School
West 113th Street, between South Artesian Avenue and South Maplewood Avenue
Ward: 19
Alderman: O’Shea
Neighborhood: Morgan Park
d. Age 40
Source
20222673
OC Sanders was the owner of Sanders Lounge, an Englewood establishment he opened in 1970 and ran for 51 years.
He was known for hosting events, booze cruises, softball leagues, … and his favorite saying…
Whisky sitting still, don’t may no bills
OC moved to Chicago in 1965 from Utica, Mississippi
Alum:
Utica Junior College (Mississippi)
Crane Business College (Chicago)
Christ Universal Temple
700 West 59th Street to 5901 South Halsted Street
Ward: 16
Alderman: Coleman
Neighborhood: Englewood
b. July 29, 1942 in Utica, Mississippi
d. November 9, 2021
Sanders Lounge / OC Sanders Back Bar
700 W. 59th Street
Source
20222633
Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1954 by J.M. Stone, who was a friend of Martin Luther King, Sr. in Georgia.
This was the first Chicago church where Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. gave speeches during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. It supported the Chicago Freedom Movement which focused on fair housing. King moved to Chicago in 1966. The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968. The pulpit used by Martin Luther King, Jr. is on display as are photos of Reverends King and Stone.
The building was originally built as a Jewish Synagogue when the neighborhood population was largely Jewish. Many of the original stained glass windows and interior light fixtures are original and feature the Star of David and the menorah. Stone Temple MBC retains a connection to the Jewish community and continues to hold events which honor major Jewish holidays.
The building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2016. It was built by Joseph W. Cohen & Company Architects in 1926.
The Senior Pastor, Derrick Milas Fitzpatrick, is the grandson of the founder J.M. Stone.
Photo credit: Honorary Chicago/Linda Zabors, October 2022
Douglas Boulevard between Central Park Avenue and Millard Street
Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: North Lawndale
Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church
3622 W. Douglas Boulevard
Source
Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church
Chicago Architecture Center - Open House Chicago 2022
https://enewspf.com/latest-news/stone-temple-baptist-church-to-be-considered-for-landmarks-honor/
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
East 75th Street, between South Champlain Avenue and South Langley Avenue
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 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
South Leamington Avenue, from West 44th Street to West 45th Street
Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Archer Heights
d. March 4, 2019
Source
20222439
R814
6100 block of North McVicker from West Matson Ave. to North Indian Road
Ward: 39
Alderman: Nugent
Neighborhood: Forest Glen
Source
20222149
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.
Reissued 2022. 43rd Street, from South Lake Park Avenue to South Ellis Avenue
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 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.
West Grenshaw Street, from South Central Park Avenue to South Homan Avenue (3400 to 3558 West Grenshaw Street)
Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: Lawndale
b. August 4, 1947
d. June 22, 1995. Age 47.
Source
20222473
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
West 48th Place between South Kedzie Avenue and South Whipple Street
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 Bankston asked a woman if she needed help during a domestic dispute in public. The assailant shot Michael six times.
West Wrightwood Avenue, at North Logan Boulevard going to North Spaulding Avenue
Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Logan Square
d. age 25
20221760
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
West 18th Street, at South Laflin Street on the northwest comer and going west to South Ashland Avenue
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
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
Jackson Boulevard, between Kildare Avenue and Kostner Avenue
Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park
Source
https://cpdp.co/officer/29819/nicol-walker/
20221600
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
East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue
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 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.
North Clark Street from North Addison Street to West Eddy Street
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
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
1800 block of North Fremont Street from Willow to Wisconsin
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 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
North Paris Avenue between West Waveland and West Grace
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 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
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 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
Ward: 21
Alderman: Brookins
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham
b. January 26, 1929 in Chicago
d.
Source
2022912
Carlos Pagan was a 19-year old shooting victim in the Albany Park neighborhood.
Alum:
Theodore Roosevelt High School
North Albany Avenue from West Argyle Street to West Carmen Avenue
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