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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.

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Filtering by Tag: Little Village

Lula Navarro

Linda Zabors

Lula Navarro was a well known community activist in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, where she had been a resident since 1974.

She came to Chicago from Mexico and worked in the garment industry at the age of 14. She lost a finger and her job, and took work as a housekeeper. She participated in demonstrations in South Chicago where she was often the only Mexican woman. Lula was involved in Labor and the Farm Workers Movements and was well known for her campaign to build Benito Juarez High School; she continued her involvement through the support of bilingual education and job opportunities.

Honorary Lula Navarro Way

South Komensky Avenue, from West 31st Street to West 32nd Street

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village


b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. 2004

Source

20222848
R815

Comment
categories street
tags 2022, Women, Activist, Community, Education, Labor, Latinx, Latino, Little Village

Raul R. Montes, Sr.

Linda Zabors

Raul Montes was a civic leader and activist in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. He was the Superintendent of the 22nd Ward for Streets and Sanitation from 1990 until he retired in 2010. Raul established block clubs which improved the homes and made the neighborhood safer for children and the elderly. Previously, Raul worked for the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Chicago Department of Human Services. City Council Member, “Chuy” Garcia, appointed Raul a Democratic Precinct Captain for the 6th Precinct. “Chuy” later became US Rep Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

He came to the US from Chihuahua, Mexico in 1965 and worked at Marshall Field’s department store on State Street as a busboy. By 1967 he worked at Western Electric, where he met his wife. They raised their three children in the Little Village neighborhood.

Honorary Raul R. Montes, Sr. Way

South Kolin between 26th Street and 27th Street

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

b. August 9, 1948. Chihuahua, Mexico
d. Age 72. COVID-19

Comment
categories street
tags 2021, Activist, Little Village, Latinx, Latino, COVID-19, Civic, Ward 22

Guadalupe and Maria Lopez

Linda Zabors

Husband and wife who died of COVID-19 within weeks of each other. Guadalupe (Lupe) Lopez was an Emergency 911 Dispatcher at the Office of Emergency Management for the City of Chicago, where he worked for 33 years. He was also a coach of his neighborhood little league baseball team. Maria (Lupita) was very active in the Little Village community where she had an income tax business.

They both went into the hospital on November 8 and died within weeks. Due to the Pandemic conditions they could not be in the same room with each other and said goodbye using a video service.

Honorary Guadalupe and Maria Lopez Way

South Kenneth Street between 47th Street and 48th Street

 

Approved: April 2021

Ward: 14
Alderman: Burke
Neighborhood: Archer Heights

Near the home where the lived and raised their family

Guadalupe (Lupe)
d. November 2020. Age 58.

Maria (Lupita)
d. December 2020. Age 56.

Source
ABC News
ABC News - Maria Lopez
Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-covid19-maria-lopez-police-dispatcher-wife-20201205-4d7vbbxlkfbfxehoxgp6d6aqxe-story.html

Comment
categories street
tags 2021, COVID-19, First Responder, Latinx, Latino, Local Business, Little Village, Ward 14

'Majic' Juan Suarez Way

Linda Zabors

Juan Suarez was a very popular DJ of House and Freestyle on WCYC in 1984, and later WCEV, and WRLL radio. Juan was born in Chicago and grew up in the Little Village neighborhood. At age 9 he lost his sight, but that did not stop him from pursuing the life in music he loved. He started his career as a DJ, spinning vinyl records at age 20.

Born in Chicago

Honorary 'Majic' Juan Suarez Way

West 28th Street, from South Lawndale Avenue to South Ridgeway Avenue

 

Approved: January 2021

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village


b. May 26, 1965. Chicago
d. November 17, 2020. Age 55. Cancer and COVID

Comment
categories street
tags 2021, Little Village, music, Cancer, COVID-19, Latino, Latinx, Ward 22, Chicago Born

Pastor Victor Rodriguez Way

Linda Zabors

Victor Rodriguez was pastor of the La Villita Community Church, in the Little Village neighborhood. His church keeps kids off the streets by serving as the center for the Chicago Youth Boxing Club. Under his leadership, his church also hosted chili cook-offs and tattoo removal sessions. Pastor Vic was well known for peace keeping and for establishing positive relations between the North Lawndale and South Lawndale communities.

Everyone wants to save the world.
But nobody wants to do the dishes.
- Pastor Vic

Pastor Vic was a huge White Sox fan. His place in the community is immortalized in a mural on 22nd Street which bears his portrait and his mission. From age 9, he lived his entire life in the Little Village neighborhood; as an adult he dedicated himself to God and to the community.

Love God. Love people. Nothing else matters.
- Pastor Vic

Alumni: Christian Life College, Whitney Grade School, Farragut

Honorary Pastor Victor H. Rodriguez Way

West 23rd Street between South Central Park Avenue and South Lawndale Avenue

Approved: April 2019
Ward: 22
Alderman: Ricardo Munoz
Neighborhood: Little Village, South Lawndale

Born in Mexico 1967
Chicago, age 9
d. 2018. age 52

Near La Villita Community Church
2300 S. Millard Avenue

 
Comment
categories street
tags Honorary Street, Honorary Brown Sign, Clergy, Christianity, 2019, Little Village