Larry (Lawrence) Thurm

Coach Larry Thurm started a baseball league at Bell Park in 1985, which expanded and grew to include Riis Park and Sayre Park and a wide range of age groups.

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Honorary Coach Larry (Lawrence) Thurm WAY

North Oak Park Avenue from West Barry Avenue to West Wellington Avenue

 

Approved: 2024

Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Portage Park

b. September 30, 1935 in Chicago
d. October 29, 2023. Age 88

Near
Bell Park and Riis Park

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Source

20247707

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/chicago-il/lawrence-thurm-11515218

Ernest & Gloria Jenkins

Ernest “Ernie” & Gloria Jenkins were founding members of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA), a community development corporation since 1973. The group serves the Lawndale neighborhood and provides juvenile justice intervention for at risk youth, and food for families. Ernie was CEO of WACA until 2009

Ernest served in the US Air Force. Ernest and Gloria worked as a consultants in market research and human relations and sensitivity training. Ernest became Executive Director of Programs for West YMCA: Austin and Southside YMCA, and in 1971 joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to organize community self-help groups. He has won numerous awards for his service.

Gloria was a social worker at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) and led a program for at-risk teenage girls. She was Executive Director of Urban Programs West YMCA and later served various roles at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She served in an advisory capacity for multiple organizations promoting African-Americans and women.

Veteran: Ernest - US Air Force

Alum
Ernest: Aurora University (formerly George Williams College)
Gloria: Governors State University

Faith
Chicago Temple United Methodist Church

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Honorary Mrs. Ernest & Gloria Jenkins WAY

West Ogden Avenue, between Central Park and Millard Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: North Lawndale

b. Ernest: Dec 30 1929. Mississippi
Gloria: in Chicago

d. Gloria: January 3, 2006
Ernest: January 2, 2018

Near: Westside Association for Community Action (WACA)
3600 W. Ogden

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Source

2023986
IL-100-SR1294
IL-94-SR0566

https://wacanetwork.org/

Sam Bell

Sam Bell was a long time volunteer for the Midtown Educational Foundation where he tutored students, led successful fundraising efforts, and supported programs and networks for a wide range of populations and interests. He was well known and well regarded and appreciated for the personal support and kindness he showed everyone he met.

Sam died in a bicycle accident. A Ghost Bike has been dedicated in his memory at the crash site

Alum
Eastern Illinois University

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Honorary Sam Bell WAY

Northwest corner of West Rice Street and North Wood Street

 

Approved: March 2023

Ward: 1
Alderman: LaSpata
Neighborhood: West Town

b. 1978. Galesberg, IL
d. September 8, 2022. Age 44

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Source

2023983

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/13/bicyclist-sam-bell-killed-by-driver-in-river-west-was-a-friend-to-all-and-a-mentor-to-chicago-kids/

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/30/ghost-bike-installed-in-river-west-for-sam-bell-bicyclist-killed-on-milwaukee-avenue/

Marge Britton

Marguerite “Marge” Britton was a 1969 founder of the the oldest block club in the Edgewater neighborhood, the Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council (LRBC) . Before a career in public relations, she worked for the Lerner Newspaper and Skokie News. She was also a Ward staff member who served during the tenures of 4 Aldermen.

Marge lived her entire life in the neighborhood, and raised her family of 6 children on Magnolia Street.

Alumni
Mundeline College in Rogers Park

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Honorary Marge Britton WAY

North Magnolia Avenue, between West Balmoral Avenue and West Bryn Mawr Avenue

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 48
Alderman: Osterman
Neighborhood: Edgewater

d. April 8, 2022. Age 84

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Source

2023656

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/marguerite-britton-obituary?id=34195862

Avenida Fiesta del Sol

Fiesta del Sol is the largest Latino community organized block party in the country. In 2022 it celebrated 50 years. It is a free, outdoor community festival which features local vendors, community businesses, and social services; it does not allow alcohol or tobacco sponsorships. Fiesta del Sol hosts 1.3M visitors over 4 days.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

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Honorary Avenida Fiesta del Sol

Blue Island Avenue between West Cullerton Street and West 21st Street

 

Approved: June 2022

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen

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Source

2022835

https://www.pilsenneighbors.org/

Lula Navarro

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.

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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

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Source

20222848
R815

Ronald Everette McKee, Sr.

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

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Honorary Ronald Everette McKee, Sr Way

South Leamington Avenue, from West 44th Street to West 45th Street

 

Approved: September 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Archer Heights

d. March 4, 2019

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Source

20222439
R814

Tom O'Rourke and Peggy Barber

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

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Honorary Tom O'Rourke and Peggy Barber Way

1800 block of North Fremont Street from Willow to Wisconsin

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 43
Alderman: Smith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Tom
d. 2008

Peggy
d. August 25, 2019. Age 75.
Lung Cancer

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Source

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/ct-peggy-barber-obituary-20190920-zmahikzubren7lyjzl4hoxha4i-story.html

20221098

Camerino Landa

Camerino Landa was an active volunteer in and for the Belmont Cragin community, in which he lived since 1995. His dedication to his family and community endured in spite of having suffered a stroke at the age of 32.

In 2007 he was recognized as Donor of the Year by a veterans organization

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Honorary Camarino Landa Way

North Laramie Avenue, between West George Street and West Wellington Avenue

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 31
Alderman: Cardona
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin

b. August 21, 1943
d. May 13, 2020. Age 78.

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Source

20215320

Jerry Torry

Jerry Torry mentored youth in the South Shore neighborhood for more than 35 years at Chicago Youth Centers. In 2015 Jerry was honored by Heroes In The Hood for his service to stop violence in the community.

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Honorary Jerry Torry Way

South Phillips Avenue between East 76th Street and East 77th Street

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 7
Alderman: Mitchell
Neighborhood: South Shore

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Source
HeroesInTheHood2015

* 2022 May - location changed to South Phillips Avenue between E. 76th Street and E. 77th Street, from East 77th Street between Phillips Avenue and Essex Avenue

Gus and June Travlos Way

Costas (Gus) and Anastasia June Travlos were long time residents of the Edgewater neighborhood, they were also the co-founders of the Edgewater Development Company and worked to improve the lives of their neighbors and spearheaded the revitalization of Bryn Mawr as a Historic District. Gus was born in Greece, they moved to Edgewater in 1964.

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Honorary Gus and June Travlos Way

1000 West Bryn Mawr Avenue between North Broadway and North Winthrop Avenue

 

Approved: June 2018

Ward: 48
Alderman: Osterman
Neighborhood: Edgewater

June
d. November 1, 2016. Age 91

Gus
d. 2005. Age 70

Near
Edgewater Development Corporation
1055 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue

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Source

Source

Chicago Public Art Group

Edward G. Irvin

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.

Founder Edward Giles Irvin Speech (by Kenny McCain)

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Honorary Edward G. Irvin Way

East 67th Street, from South Marquette Road to South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: June 2017

Ward: 20
Alderman: Cochran
Neighborhood: Englewood

b. 1893. Indiana
d. 1983

Near
Edward G. Irvin Foundation

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Source

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