Gaspar Gomez

Gaspar Gomez was the owner of the Shell service station on the corner of Damen and Division in Wicker Park, which he opened in 1977. Over 40 years his business grew to four location from the original location which ultimately closed in 2017. He was one of the first Latino franchisees and received several corporate awards for excellence and commitment to the community. He sponsored neighborhood festivals such as: Wicker Park Chill Fest and Do Division Street.

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Honorary Gaspar Gomez Way

West Division Street between North Wood Street and North Damen Avenue

 

Approved: December 2022

Ward: 01
Alderman: LaSpata
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

d. July 29, 2022. Age 84

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Source

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170829/wicker-park/1950-w-division-shell-gas-station-wicker-park-2017-closing-october-new-apartments/

https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/obituaries/name/gaspar-gomez-obituary?pid=202502513&v=batesville

20223763

Adolfo 'Shabba Doo' Quinones

Aldofo Quinones “Shabba Doo” was one of the dancers who made the Locking style of dance famous and is considered by many to be “The Godfather of Street Dance.” He and his sister, Fawn, were dancers on the groundbreaking television show “Soul Train.” He was known as “Shabba Doo” and he was one of the founding members of the Lockers, until it disbanded in 1976. His breakthrough role as an actor was when he played Ozone in the films Breakin’ (1984) and Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984). He directed and appeared in “Rave - Dancing to a Different Beat” (1993). Shabba Doo appeared in several movies in and was an innovator in dance and choreography for movies, television, and music videos through the 1980s; including videos for Madonna (Who’s That Girl, 1987), Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan (1984), and Three 6 Mafia’s performance at the Academy Awards (2006).

He was born in Chicago to African American and Puerto Rican parents, and was raised in the Cabrini-Green housing projects. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s when Soul Train relocated to LA from Chicago.

Adolfo is considered the Godfather of Street Dance which ushered in break dancing in the 1980s and the genre of Hip Hop music.

Alum:
Cooley Vocational High School
Lincoln Park High School (Previously Robert A Waller High School)

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Honorary Adolfo 'Shabba Doo' Quinones Way

The intersection of West Ohio Street and North Wolcott Avenue, on the northeast corner of the Intersection (at 600 N Wolcott Ave and 1900 W Ohio St

Northeast corner of West Ohio Street and North Wolcott Avenue

 

Approved: December 2022

Ward: 1
Alderman: La Spata
Neighborhood: West Town

b. May 11, 1955
d. December 29, 2020. Age 65.

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Source
Wikipedia - Shabba Doo

20222966 revised to 20223713

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

Magda Ramirez-Castaneda

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

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Honorary Magda Ramirez-Castaneda Way

West 18th Street, at South Laflin Street on the northwest comer and going west to South Ashland Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 25, 35
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez, Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Pilsen

b. Coahuila, Mexico
d. age 69 in Chicago

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Source
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/15/activist-magda-ramirez-castaneda-leader-in-pilsens-chicana-movement-dies-she-was-a-warrior/

20221757

Mary Delores Espinosa-Matos

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

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Honorary Mary Delores Espinosa-Matos Way

West 19th Street from South Racine Ave to South Allport

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen

b. October 7, 1948 in Chicago
d. February 22, 2002 Age 53.

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Source

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-02-26-0202260162-story.html

2022832

Jesus 'Chuy' Negrete

Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete was a famous Mexican-American folk singer and guitarist who also played harmonica. He was a member of the Chicano Youth Movement in the 1960s and the Farm Labor Movement.

He taught Mexican history and culture from youth to the university level, including in the Chicago Public Schools, University of Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, and Robert Morris University.

Chuy founded “Teatro de Barrio” in South Chicago.

He was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his parents who were migrant farm workers. From the age of 7, he lived in the South Chicago neighborhood.

Studs Terkel called him "the Chicano Woody Guthrie."

Alum:

Chicago Vocational High School
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago State University

https://www.chuynegrete.com

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Honorary Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete Way

East 91st Street and South Houston Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: South Chicago

near his childhood home 9125 S. Houston

b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. Age 72

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Source

2022745

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

Roberto "Bobby" Herrera

Roberto M. Herrera, Jr., a.k.a. “Chops”was a firefighter and 30-year veteran who retired from Truck 32 “Bombero Mexicanos” serving the Little Village neighborhood. Bobby retired in 2016 but remained an advocate and supporter of firefighters and the community.

He also had a passion for soccer, Bobby coached soccer for 18-years in the CLASA Latino league. Bobby was also a craftsman who made firefighting helmet shields and worked on cars.

Alumnus

Benito Juarez High School
Jungman Elementary School

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Honorary Roberto “Bobby” Herrera Way

West Carpenter Street between West 18th Street and West 19th Street

 

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigh-Lopez
Neighborhood: Little Village/Pilsen

b. June 21, 1961
d. May 22, 2021

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Source

Raul R. Montes, Sr.

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.

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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

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Source

Carlos Rosas

Manager of Calumet Fisheries restaurant for more than 25 years.

Education

Hospitality Institute of Chicago
George Washington High School
Marsh Grade School

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Honorary Carlos Rosas Drive

East 95th between South Chicago and Avenue N

 

Approved: June 2021

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: South Chicago/South Deering

Near Calumet Fisheries restaurant

d. July 20, 2020. Age 41.

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Source
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/7/22/21334407/calumet-fisheries-carlos-rosas-obituary

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/7/24/21335613/calumet-fisheries-manager-carlos-rosas-obituary-intel

https://news.wttw.com/2021/02/18/chicago-tonight-your-neighborhood-south-deering

https://calumetfisheries.com/

Guadalupe and Maria Lopez

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.

Officers in Chicago rely on their dispatchers while serving and protecting this city. For #ChicagoPolice officers working in @ChicagoCAPS10 & @ChicagoCAPS11, Lupe Lopez was a voice of security and reassurance. Our heartfelt condolences are with Lupe's family & friends. https://t.co/MmENRiiawM

— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) November 16, 2020

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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.

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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

Olga Quiroga

Olga Quiroga was a popular teacher of immigrant students in Chicago Public Schools for more than 30 years. She was known for her kind heart and generous spirit. She loved teaching; her students were like family to her. Olga taught third and fifth graders at Funston Elementary School.

Olga was born in Mexico, when she came to the United States she worked cleaning houses and earned her GED; she went on to get her Bachelor and teaching degrees.

She was taken to the hospital on September 11 and died on October 1. Due to the severity and early stage of the outbreak of COVID-19, her family had no contact with her from the time she entered the hospital until the day she died. Olga was among the first Chicago Public School teachers to die from COVID-19.

Education

Chicago State University

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Honorary Olga L. Quiroga Way

Central Park Avenue, from Armitage to Dickens

 

Approved: September 2021

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Hermosa

Near Funston Elementary School

b. September 30. Tamaulipas, Mexico
d. October 1, 2020. Age 58. Chicago

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Source
Chicago Sun-Times

'Majic' Juan Suarez Way

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

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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

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Source

Erie Neighborhood House Way

The Erie Neighborhood House, originally the “little Dutch Church,” was founded in 1870 in West Town. It is Chicago’s longest operating settlement house; it originally served immigrants and low-income residents. It now has several locations and offers education and workforce development services and advocacy under its mission to be inclusive and just.

YouTube playlist: Erie Neighborhood House. Honorary Chicago

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Honorary Erie Neighborhood House Way

West Erie Street between North Elizabeth Street and North Armour Street

 

Approved: June 2019

Ward: 1
Alderman: La Spata
Neighborhood: West Town

Near
Erie Neighborhood House, 1347 W. Erie

Erie House sites and programs can also be found in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and in Little Village.

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Source