Agnes Bednarkiewicz speaks at the 2019 civic association banquet.Family, friends, elected officials and officers of the McKinley Park Civic Association honored former association President Agnes Bednarkiewicz on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with the unveiling of Agnes F. Bednarkiewicz Way at West 37th Street and South Hermitage Avenue.
The 12th Ward sponsored the dedication, with Alderwoman Julia Ramirez noting the City of Chicago resolution honoring “a lifetime of sacrifice, hard work and community-building” by Bednarkiewicz.
12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez, left, speaks at the dedication alongside Illinois 24th District State Representative Theresa Mah and McKinley Park Civic Association President Chris Bania.A lifelong McKinley Park neighborhood resident, Bednarkiewicz lived along the stretch of South Hermitage Avenue from West 37th to 38th streets that now bears her name. She passed away earlier this year at 78 years of age.
Constant Presence
“She really cared about the neighborhood,” said current association President Chris Bania. However, given her modesty, she wouldn’t likely have accepted the honor of a street in her name, he said.
She was “an incredible leader” and “constant presence” in the neighborhood, said Illinois 24th District State Representative Theresa Mah.
“I will miss her, but her legacy lives on,” Mah said.
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