Gicele Wray-Lindley

Pastor Gigi has been involved in the church since an early age. Her parents were the founding pastors, Esteban and Isabel Wray. She became choir director at the age of 13 and sang solos in the and led praise and worship at age 9. At the age of 23 she was ordained into Evangelist ministry. She and her husband, Omar, have ministered in several states and overseas in Central and South America, and Africa.

She founded and is CEO of a childcare and early learning center which serves hundreds of children; it is called Shining Star Youth and Community Services.

Alum

University of Illinois at Chicago. BA
Master, Human Services
Master, Non-Profit Management and Organizational Leadership
Doctorate, Education in Ethical Leadership

Born in Panama

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Honorary Pastor Gicele Wray-Lindley Way

South Kedzie Avenue between 77th Street and West Columbus Avenue

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 18
Alderman: Curtis
Neighborhood: Ashburn

b. Colon, Panama

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Source
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Velma Lois Landry

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Honorary Velma Lois Landry Way

Southeast Corner of West Evergreen Avenue and North Clybourn Avenue

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood:

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Source

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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

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Big Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes was a 34 year retired veteran of the Chicago Police Department

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Honorary Big Mike Hughes Avenue

South Talman Avenue, between West 108th Street and West 109th Street

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 19
Alderman: O'‘Shea
Neighborhood: Beverly

d. February 4, 2022. Age 70.

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Source

https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/michael-hughes-obituary?id=32787087

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Matt Hooker

Matt Hooker was a wrestling coach who succumbed to cancer in the prime of his life and career.

Alum:
Mt. Carmel High School

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Honorary Matt Hooker Way

West 113th Street, between South Artesian Avenue and South Maplewood Avenue

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 19
Alderman: O’Shea
Neighborhood: Morgan Park

d. Age 40

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Source

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OC Sanders

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

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Honorary OC Sanders Way

700 West 59th Street to 5901 South Halsted Street

 

Approved: November 2022

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

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Source

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A Tour From Atop - Inside Willis Tower, Part 1 - Sears

Sights & Sips

Friday, November 18th. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

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Learn more about the Willis (Sears) Tower from the inside

The Willis Tower was the tallest building in the world for more than two decades its design and construction literally took skyscrapers to new heights. The early history of the tower belongs to Chicago’s own, Sears Roebuck Co. See how far we have come from the ultimate holiday catalog and a relic tower in the Lawndale neighborhood.

Presented by: Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members register for free on club app

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church

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

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Honorary Stone Temple Way

Douglas Boulevard between Central Park Avenue and Millard Street

 

Approved:

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: North Lawndale

Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church
3622 W. Douglas Boulevard

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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/

Charlie "Boot" Allen

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

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Honorary Charlie “Boot” Allen Way

East 75th Street, between South Champlain Avenue and South Langley Avenue

 

Approved: September 2022

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

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Source

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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

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James (Jimmy) Cummings

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Honorary James (Jimmy) Cummings Way

6100 block of North McVicker from West Matson Ave. to North Indian Road

 

Approved: September 2022

Ward: 39
Alderman: Nugent
Neighborhood: Forest Glen

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Source

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A Tour From Atop - The Great Chicago Fire

Friday, September 16th. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

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The Great Chicago Fire - Rising From the Ashes , The Great Chicago Comeback

Following the fire of 1871 Chicago made a stunning recovery and entered an era of unprecedented growth and innovation. Learn how Chicago built a golden age for itself and became the

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members register for free on club app

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

Honorary Chicago Featured by Block Club Chicago

Katie Finlon of Block Club Chicago interviewed Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook to learn why honorary signs are designated and who is honored.

Ever wonder who Chicago's honorary street signs are named for?

A friend convinced Linda Zabors to write a book about the signs after they couldn't find one in Chicago's libraries. https://t.co/oqWVu6lvQW pic.twitter.com/MIega8q7yn

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) August 9, 2022

Block Club Chicago article August 2022 Honorary Chicago Streets

Get To Know The People Behind Chicago’s Honorary Street Signs: ‘There Are All Kinds of Ways to Do Good’

Honorary signs featured in this article:

• Honorary Herman Petty Way

• Honorary Magda Ramirez-Castaneda Way

• Honorary Edward Brennan Way

Muddy Waters

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.

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Honorary Muddy Waters Drive

Reissued 2022. 43rd Street, from South Lake Park Avenue to South Ellis Avenue

 

Approved: June 2022 (reissued)

Ward: 4
Alderman: King
Neighborhood: Bronzeville

b. April 4, 1913 in Mississippi
d. April 30, 1983. Age 70

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Source
Wikipedia
YouTube - Honorary Chicago playlist

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Shirley Deer

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.

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Honorary Shirley Deer Way

West Grenshaw Street, from South Central Park Avenue to South Homan Avenue (3400 to 3558 West Grenshaw Street)

Approved: Septembe 2022

 

Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: Lawndale

b. August 4, 1947
d. June 22, 1995. Age 47.

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Source

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William K. Flood

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

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Honorary William Flood

West 48th Place between South Kedzie Avenue and South Whipple Street

 

Approved: July 2022

Ward: 14
Alderman: Burke
Neighborhood: Archer Heights

d. June 4, 2022. Age 82.

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Source

https://floodbrothersdisposalchicago.tumblr.com/post/142805246082/grandfather-william-flood-with-grandson-brody-at

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Michael H. Bankston III

Michael Bankston asked a woman if she needed help during a domestic dispute in public. The assailant shot Michael six times.

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Honorary Michael H. Bankston, III Avenue

West Wrightwood Avenue, at North Logan Boulevard going to North Spaulding Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Logan Square

d. age 25

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Source

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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/

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Nicol Walker

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

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Honorary Officer Nicol Walker Way

Jackson Boulevard, between Kildare Avenue and Kostner Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park

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Source
https://cpdp.co/officer/29819/nicol-walker/

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Benji Wilson

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

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Honorary Benji Wilson Way

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. March 18, 1967
d. November 21, 1984

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Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wilson_(basketball)

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