Chicago City Wire

On May 21, 2025, the City of Chicago and the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs will hold a public ceremony to honor Purple Heart Veterans. The event will mark Chicago's official designation as a Purple Heart City with the installation of two signs: one at City Hall on LaSalle Street and another at Old Fort Dearborn on Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.

Retired Lt. Col. Eldridge Johnson Jr., a Purple Heart recipient and the first African American pilot in the Illinois National Guard, will be among those attending. He played a key role in achieving this designation for Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed pride in supporting veterans, stating, “Chicago is proud to stand with our veterans, especially our Purple Heart recipients, who have borne the scars of war.” He added that the designation signifies a commitment to honoring veterans' service.

Kevin Barszcz, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, emphasized the city's dedication to remembering those who sacrificed for their country. “This designation reaffirms our city’s commitment to remember and honor the price paid by so many,” he said.

The City Council officially designated Chicago as a Purple Heart City on October 30, 2024. The resolution was sponsored by Alderman Gilbert Villegas and signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. It highlights Chicago's ongoing commitment to honoring wounded or fallen service members.

Alderman Villegas noted that designating Chicago as a Purple Heart City is "a powerful gesture of respect and remembrance." The initiative is part of a national program led by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to recognize municipalities that support military personnel wounded or killed in combat.

The city invites all Purple Heart Veterans, their families, and the public to attend this significant ceremony.