Michael W. Gonzalez Honorary Street Sign
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, Michael W. Gonzalez was co-founder ofthe largest Chicago-based engineering firm;
and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez grew up in Pilsen and remained committed to the well-being of his community; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez was a dedicated and loyal husband to Leticia; a loving father to his daughter, Giselle; a devoted son, brother, uncle, and cousin to his extended family; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez advocated for Latinos to build and maintain a significant presence and participation in the construction industry as Chair ofthe Board ofthe Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA); and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez graduated with honors from St. Ignatius High School and received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez co-founded the nonpartisan Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation, served for many years as its Vice President, and worked tirelessly to promote higher education opportunities for Latino students through the Foundation's scholarship program; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez showed extraordinary courage and optimism in dealing with his terminal illness; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez will eternally be remembered for all he did on behalf of his family, community and heritage;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
Section 1. Pursuant to Section 2-8-040 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, which allows erection of honorary street name designations, the Commissioner ofthe Chicago Department of Transportation shall take the necessary action for standardization of South May Street from West Cullerton Street and West 21st Street as "Honorary Michael W. Gonzalez Way."
Alderman, Ward ^6
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication.
Michael W Gonzalez
October 05,1955 - July 08, 2019
Michael W. Gonzalez (class of 1973) was born in Chicago, the third sibling (of four) to Mexican-American parents, Ricardo & Grace Gonzalez. All his grandparents were born in Mexico. He grew up in the ethnically changing Pilsen neighborhood where his grandmother had purchased a multi-family dwelling in the mid 1950's.
He attended and graduated 8th grade at Holy Family Grammar School directly adjacent to St. Ignatius. Michael participated in the Mathematics competition conducted annually at St. Ignatius for 7* graders. He scored in the top 50 out of 300 participants. His transition to St. Ignatius went smoothly; the rigor and discipline matched what he needed to excel while at the school. With a gift for Mathematics, Michael took five years of mathematics courses during his four years. This led him to be well prepared for studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Engineering.
During his academic career at UIC, Michael was accepted into the Cooperative Engineering Program; employed at Sargent & Lundy in various technical departments, he excelled as a staff engineer and upon graduation in 1980 accepted a full-time position with the firm. His career was extended at
Sargent & Lundy through 1988; during that time excelled as an engineer and earned a License as a Professional Engineer in Illinois.
Mr. Gonzalez is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Maestros Ventures, LLC. This firm was established in 2008 and focuses on Engineering Services related to Mechanical, Electrical Plumbing and Fire Protection systems. Prior to establishing Maestros Ventures, LLC (from 1987 - 2007) Mr. Gonzalez was co-founder, shareholder and Executive Vice President ofa professional services firm specializing in design of Mechanical & Electrical systems in the commercial and governmental sectors. The firm started with 2 other co-founders and grew to 100 employees by the time Mr. Gonzalez left the firm.
Michael has maintained a record of community service throughout his professional career; his experiences positively impacted his professional development with progressively challenging and responsible leadership positions with community-based organizations and government service. Among the most notable were tenures as:
President ofthe Chicago Chapter ofthe Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (an organization promoting careers in engineering for Hispanic college students, during his career at Sargent & Lundy); President ofthe Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (a trade organization promoting Hispanic owned construction-related businesses in the Chicago area, during his career at his first engineering company); a three term Member ofthe Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (a state board that governs Hospitals, Clinics and medical procedures throughout the state of Illinois) appointed by Governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.
He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Caucus Foundation and as a Trustee on the Board of Window to the World Communications, Inc; locally known as Channel 11, a PBS Station. Michael is married to Leticia with a daughter Giselle (class of 2007); they reside on the southwest side of Chicago. Unfortunately, Michael was diagnosed with a terminal illness to which he succumbed to on July 8, 2019.
Reason for honoring individual: Michael has maintained a record of community service throughout not only his professional career, but his life as well; his experiences positively impacted his professional development with progressively challenging and responsible leadership positions with community-based organizations and government service. Born and raised in Pilsen Michael Gonzalez serves as a role model as to what the children of Pilsen can do to help their community.
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Office of Budget and Management 121 N. LaSalle, Room 604 Chicago, IL 60602
To Whom It May Concern:
I, QyfO^ S^fM) t-oqeft. Alderman of the 4>*> Ward, hereby authorize the
Office of Budget Management to withdraw the funds associated with the cost of installation
for this honorary street designation for Y\ kl- (^o^tA \tv from my:
Ward's annual menu program budget
Ward's aldermanic expanse allowance
upon passage of this honorary street designation ordinance, pursuant to Section 2-8-040 of the Chicago Municipal Code.
Sincerely,
6/1/2017