Late alderman honored with Englewood street sign

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The corner of West 63rd Street and South Halsted Street in Engelwood was renamed in honor of the late Alderman Joanne Thompson in a ceremony Sunday.

Thompson served the 16th Ward and was known for the role she played in bringing big businesses and jobs to her district. She died in 2015.

"The late great Alderman Committeeman Joanne Thompson was committed to the revitalization of the 16th Ward," said former Chief of Staff Debbie Blair.

"This is a legacy, something I wanted to do," said Ald. Carrie Austin, of the 34th Ward. "This corner from Halsted to Morgan is her legacy, and I want everybody to know that. I want her grandchildren's children to know what grandma did."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended the sign dedication ceremony with Thompson's family and friends.

"When she would start talking to you, you could either say yes, or yes ma'am," Emanuel said of Thompson. "She was a colleague, she was a comrade, a collaborator. She was somebody who caught, who fought for her neighborhood and her community."