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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.
3725-3759 West 71st Street
Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: Chicago Lawn
b. April 8, 1973 in Acapetlahuaya, Guerrero, Mexico
Source
20232788
Beth Murphy was the owner of Murphy’s Bleachers sports bar at the corner of Sheffield and Wavelend, across the street from right field at Chicago’s famous Wrigley Field baseball stadium. The bar has a rooftop view of Cubs Baseball is popular among, fans, athletes, and musicians who all play at Wrigley.
Beth was active in the Lakeview community among rooftop owners and local businesses; she defended their interests amid the development in and around the iconic baseball stadium. She was the former president of East Lakeview Neighbors, and she led the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser.
The bar was originally Ernie’s Bleachers in the 1930s, In 1965 it became Ray’s Bleachers under new ownership. Beth’s husband, Jim Murphy, bought the bar in 1980 and ran it until his death in 2003. The bar is now owned by the next generation of the family, Brian Murphy.
Her honorary sign was dedicated at the Oktoberfest event in 2023.
Southeast Corner of North Sheffield Avenue and West Waveland Avenue
Ward: 44
Alderman: Bennett Larson
Neighborhood: Lakeview/Wrigleyville
b. 1955
d. 2023. Age 67
near
Murphy’s Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffield
Source
20232741
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/09/14/beth-murphy-murphys-bleachers-late-owner-will-be-honored-with-wrigleyville-street-sign/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/04/24/beth-murphy-the-murphys-bleachers-owner-who-battled-the-chicago-cubs-over-the-wrigleyville-rooftops-dies-at-68/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/beth-murphy-owner-murphys-bleachers-dies/
https://abc7chicago.com/beth-murphy-chicago-obituary-cubs-news/13186851/
Betty Jo Swanson was very involved in the Auburn Gresham community where she volunteered for organizations such as: Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), the Neighborhood Housing Service, 6th District Committees, and the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
Betty Jo moved to Chicago in 1955. Before retiring in 1976, she worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for 27 years. She was a member of the New Friendship Baptist Church.
Alum
Parker High School
8000 South Carpenter Street
Ward: 17
Alderman: David Moore
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham
b. January 22, 1943 in Arkansas
d. January 22, 2023. Age 80
Source
20232360
https://www.gagdc.org/news/3863
https://youtu.be/r2yKRRzwxgg?si=6NpqDunZPkCAKIGE
Gerald “Jerry” Hart was a Chicago Fire Department Communications Supervisor for 34 years.
North Ozark Avenue between West Touhy Avenue and West Lunt Avenue
Ward: 41
Alderman: Anthony Napolitano
Neighborhood: Edison Park
d. March 8, 2021. Age 57
Source
20231229
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/gerald-hart-obituary?id=7265249
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20191678/jerry-hart
Mateo Zastro was 3-years old when his mother’s car was caught in gunfire from a nearby road rage incident. He was the only one of the passengers, including his mother and 3 siblings, who were hit.
South Kildare Avenue between 6800 and 6900
Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: West Lawn
d. September 30, 2022. Age 3
Source
20231203S
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2024/04/01/chicago-police-3-year-old-boy-killed-mateo-zastro-grief-unsolved-slaying-city-hall-west-lawn-crime
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/9/30/23381543/3-year-old-boy-shot-killed-west-lawn-drive-by-marquette-kenneth-mateo-zastro-chicago
Officer Areanah M. Preston had been a Chicago Police Officer for 3 years when she was robbed and murdered outside her home as she returned from a shift. She died days before her graduation from Law School; her diploma was received in a special recognition on the stage at graduation by her family.
Alum
Loyola University
Chicago Police Academy
South Blackstone Avenue between 81st Street and 82nd Street
Ward: 08
Alderman: Michelle Harris
Neighborhood: Avalon Park
b. June 7, 1998
d. May 6, 2023. Age 24
Source
20231215
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/loved-ones-honor-life-of-fallen-cpd-officer-1-year-after-murder/
https://youtu.be/A4MnwKq1-B0?si=dlsWh2gMPIJude71
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oak-lawn-il/areanah-preston-11283050
Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. was the publisher of the Woodlawn Observer, a real estate developer, a community organizer, a professor, and Pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. He worked on local and national political campaigns and provided deep support of the Woodlawn community. In 1969 he was the President of the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority, and was a board member of Chicago Planning Commission.
He moved to Chicago from Mississippi as a child. His father, Leon, Sr., was the namesake owner of the Chicago-famous Leon’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.
Veteran: Marines
Alum
Goddard College
McCormick Theological Seminary
Nova University
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Hyde Park Academy High School
East 63rd Street between South Stony Island Avenue and South Blackstone Avenue
Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: Woodlawn
b. July 7, 1938 in Mississippi
d, September 4, 2020. Age 82
Source
20231659
2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Finney_Jr.
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-dr-leon-d-finney-jr
https://abc7chicago.com/leon-finney-rev-dr-death/6580115/
James W. Cole was known as the “Shoe Shine King.” He gave the community and returning citizens the opportunity to learn the craft, and the personal service of shoe care and repair. He owned and operated Shine King for more than 57 years. Eventually he bought the buiding and rented out other shops to various businesses.
His shoe shine clients included former Mayors and Barak Obama.
He was born in Tennessee and moved to Chicago as a young boy.
Alum
Marshall High School
North Central Avenue between West Fulton Street and West Corcoran Place
Ward: 29
Alderman: Chris Taliaferro
Neighborhood: Austin
d. 2022, Age 78
near
Shine King
338 N. Central Ave
Source
20232094,1675
https://chicagodefender.com/james-cole-the-owner-of-chicagos-shoe-shine-king-dead-at-78/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/18/james-cole-the-west-sides-shoe-shine-king-who-helped-his-neighbors-find-work-dies-at-78/
https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/7/11/23204026/shine-king-founder-james-cole-obituary
https://chicagocrusader.com/west-sides-shine-king-james-cole-dies-at-78/
https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2018/07/11/james-cole-50-years-the-shoe-shine-king/
Lola Navarro was an activist in the Latino community of Chicago who advocated for peaceful protests. She organized picketing in the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods to bring living standards and hiring practices to the attention of the attention of city transportation and education departments. She was influenced by Saul Alinsky and in turn influenced Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
She and her family were the subject of a documentary on the life of a Mexican family in Chicago called La Rasa: a Portrait of a Family (1972) by Susan Stechnij as part of her Master’s thesis at UIC
South Komensky Avenue between South 31st Street and South 32nd Street
Ward: 22
Alderman: Michael Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village
Source
20231610,1665
https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/jesus-chuy-garcias-journey-from-a-village-in-mexico-to-the-race-against-mayor-emanuel/
https://youtu.be/Yieyac2B3Dg?si=sMaMvZ70mIOC4bLn
South Millard between West 28th Street and West 30th Street
Ward: 22
Alderman: Michael Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village
Source
20232183,1664,780R
Terry Miller grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago and trained at Great Lakes Naval Reserve. He worked for the Department of Aviation and the Illinois Department of Transportation, driving trucks and maintaining roads.
Veteran: Marines and Reserves
Alum
St. Rita’s High School
St. George’s Grammar School
St. Agnes’ Grammar School
South Meade Avenue between 5600 and 5700
Ward: 13
Alderman: Marty Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing
d. September 2022 from Cancer
Source
20232049,1663
East Bennett Avenue between South 71st Street and South 72nd Street
Ward: 07
Alderman: Mitchell Gregory
Neighborhood: South Shore
Source
20232074,1660
McGlother "Mac" Irvin was considered the “Godfather“of Chicago club basketball. He launched the Mac Irvin Fire, basketball club to highlight Chicago talent and setup a traveling team, which was sponsored by Nike in 1992. Many players went on to the NBA. He also founded the Mac Irvin Foundation to make a positive impact on at risk youth through basketball.
His wife, Louise Irvin was the manager of the program until her death in 2019. He worked for Xerox company before starting the Club; they raised 6 children on the South Side of Chicago. The Foundation and Club are being continued by the Irvin children.
Fernwood Park Basketball Courts were dedicated in his honor in 2012.
South Parnell Avenue from West 109th Street to West 111th Street
Ward: 21
Alderman: Howard Brookins, Jr., (amended September) Ronnie Mosely
Neighborhood: Pullman
d. 2011. Age 74
Sign dedication: September 23, 2023
Source
20231313
20121108
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mcglother-mac-irvin-basketball-courts
https://www.jcoydenreports.com/chicagohonorsgodfathermacirvin
https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2380/chicago-mourns-passing-of-mac-irvin
https://www.foreverfire.org/about-us
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4430661
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/12/24/mac-irvin-godfather-of-chicago-basketball-dies/
Prince Asiel Ben Israel (born Warren Brown) was the owner of the Original Soul Vegetarian restaurant (now Soul Veg City), which served vegan food on the South Side of Chicago and opened in 1981. The restaurant has continued on under the guidance of his children. It is one of the earliest black-owned vegan restaurants in the country. It promotes healthy, plant-based diets to prevent chronic disease.
He was also a member of the African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem and studied in several countries. He served as an advisor to the World Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, and was a member of the African American Clergy Network of Chicago. He served to support Black populations in North America, Africa, and Israel.
Alum
DePaul University
Dunbar Vocational High School, Chicago
East 75th Street between South Indiana Avenue and South Prairie Avenue
Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Chatham
b. April 30, 1941 in Chicago
d. August 21, 2022. Age 81
near
Soul Veg City Restaurant
201-209 E 75th Street
Source
20231260
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/prince-asiel-ben-israel
https://www.soulvegcity.com/about
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/9/2/23334949/prince-asiel-ben-israel-chicago-black-hebrew-leader-memorial-service
https://www.blackjews.org/prince-asiel-ben-israel/
Nicholas Miceli was only two years old when he died from Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) cancer. Gold ribbons adorned the streets of the Southwest side neighborhood of the Miceli family.
His mother, Khrissy Miceli is an English and Language Arts teach at Clissold Elementary School. Her students helped raise money to “Help Nick Kick Cancer!”
West 107th Place between South Lawndale Avenue and South Millard Avenue
Ward: 19
Alderman: Matthew O’Shea
Neighborhood: West Beverly
d. May 3, 2019. Age 2
Source
20231262
https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/top_story/article_b56ccf8a-8167-11e9-baac-5be6745721e1.html
https://www.stbaldricks.org/kids/mypage/9429
https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/top_story/article_bc0202e4-556a-11e9-b1fd-673a9d40a982.html
Anthony Canadeo played football for the Green Bay Packers, where he was outstanding at rushing the ball down the field, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and played college football for the Gonzaga University Bulldogs in Colorado where he was known as the “Gray Ghost of Gonzaga” due to his prematurely gray hair. After retiring from the Packers after the 1952 season he became a sportscaster for games on WBAY-TV in Green Bay. in 1971 he received at kidney transplant from his son. Anthony lived until the age of 84 in 2003.
Veteran: Army WWII
Alum
Gonzaga University, Colorado
Steinmetz High School, Chicago
Foreman High School, Chicago
West Diversey Avenue between North Oak Park Avenue to North Rutherford Avenue
Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Elmwood Park
b. 1919
d. 2003. Age 84
Source
20231314
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/canadeo-anthony-robert-tony
Molly Morris was an 8-year old girl who died from kidney cancer in 2023. Her life and struggle were captured on social media with #MollyStrong and with orange ribbons around her Norwood Park neighborhood.
Alum
St. Monica Academy
West Berwyn Avenue between North Newland Avenue to North Nordica Avenue
Ward: 41
Alderman: Anthony Napolitano
Neighborhood: Norwood Park
d. 2023. Age 8
Source
20231320
https://youtu.be/EtQgaiA4kMQ?si=B1VBe0cb2m-lD90z
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/8-year-old-girl-at-center-of-mollystrong-movement-dies-of-cancer-family-announces-in-emotional-post/3067812/
George Beary was the Vice President of the Firefighters Union Local 2; he retired in 2005 after 38 years. He was part of a group which sued the makers of sirens (some of which can reach 120 decibels) over hearing loss.
West Illinois Street, from North Dearborn Street to North Clark Street
Ward: 42
Alderman: Brendan Reilly
Neighborhood: River North
b. 1943
d. 2022
Source
20231335
https://www.iaff2.org/last-alarm/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/12/21/firefighters-sue-siren-maker-over-hearing-loss/
https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/george-beary/
Reverend Charles B. Taylor was a Baptist minister and the owner of the Taylor Funeral home, which he started in 1963. In 1982 he bought Oak Hill Cemetery Association in Gary, Indiana. The Reverend was driven by mission and entrepreneurial spirit; he made multiple and varied investments in business and faith on the south and west sides of Chicago.
He also started a wide variety of businesses, including: Thrifty Printing (1975), American Monument Company, Atlas Auctioneers, Taylor Coach, and multiple auto sales and rebuilders. Reverend Taylor was also a pilot.
He has decades of civic involvement and service in the Baptist Church, Schools, Masons, Shriners, and the funeral director business.
Reverend Taylor was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and came to Chicago in 1948. He served for 22 years in the Illinois National Guard, where he achieved the rank of First Sergeant.
Veteran: National Guard
Alum;
Prairie State College
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Jackson State College, Mississippi
East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue
Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham
b. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
d. June 30, 2022. Age 93
near C.B. Taylor Funeral Home
63 E. 79th Street
Source
20231149
https://www.cbtaylorfuneralhome.com/
Northeast corner of North Albany Avenue and West Diversey Avenue to the Northwest corner of West Diversey Avenue and North Sacramento Avenue
Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Logan Square
Source
2023988