RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Kazimiera Bober, better known as "Kasia", immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1970's with a dream of a better life for herself and her children; and
WHEREAS, After years of working odd jobs and struggling financially, Kasia decided to pursue her passion for cooking and she opened Kasia's Polish Deli in December of 1982 in the West Town neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Kasia worked diligently to make her corner deli the centerpiece of excellent high quality products and service; and
WHEREAS, Kasia's Deli is a cornerstone of the community, providing job opportunities for the diverse population of the community for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Kasia frequently participated in neighborhood festivals and in 1999 she participated in The Taste of Chicago, one of the largest food festivals in the country; and
WHEREAS, Kasia won consecutive awards for "The Best Pierogi in Chicago" and she sold her pierogis to some of the largest supermarkets in the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, Kasia's pierogis were the first ever to be served aboard the United Airlines; and
WHEREAS, "Newsweek" magazine picked Kasia's as one of the top fifteen entrepreneurs for her work; and
WHEREAS, Kasia was the recipient of the 2010 Citibank Illinois Polish Heritage awards and she was recognized for making significant contributions to the Polish Community; and
WHEREAS, Kasia shared her success with parishes and schools and she was always generous with giving back to the community and providing food and donations for events, organizations, and community fundraisers with delicacies from her deli; and
WHEREAS, Kasia was also great friend to the Ukrainian Community and to institutions in the neighborhood such as St. Nicholas Cathedral School, St. Helen Catholic Schools and St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral; and
WHEREAS, Kasia was a role model citizen, an exemplary person, and a successful businesswoman who strived to make the neighborhood a better place; and
WHEREAS, Kasia's legacy is a shining example how immigrants to this country can make their dreams come true with determination and perseverance; and
WHEREAS, Kasia had a huge heart, a deep love for her community, and a strong passion for cooking. She was always incredibly generous and gracious, and she will be sorely missed in our community; and therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 16 day of November, 2016 do hereby pay tribute with esteem and appreciation to Kasia Bober, and we honor the valuable contributions of Kasia Bober to the 1st Ward, the West Town neighborhood and to the Polish Community by erecting an honorary street-name sign on North Hoyne Avenue from West Chicago Avenue to West Superior Street, as "Kasimiera 'Kasia' Bober Way".
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented in the memory of Kasia Bober to her family as a token of our appreciation for her lasting legacy and contribution to the West Town community.
