06/22/2026
With Grateful Hearts, Thank You, Pilsen 💙
Today, we gathered at the corner of 18th St & Allport to do something that felt both bittersweet and beautiful to permanently etch the name of Rigoberto Gonzalez, "Mr. G," into the streets of the neighborhood he loved so deeply. And what a day it was.
To everyone who showed up, contributed, sponsored, or simply stood with us in spirit, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A special and heartfelt thank you to:
25th Ward Office - Byron Sigcho-Lopez for championing this designation and making it a reality.
The Office of Illinois State Senator Celina Villanueva for your support and recognition of Mr. G's lasting legacy.
St. Procopius Dual Language School for your love and continued connection to this community.
Mariachi viento de Chicago thank you for the wonderful music that the awesome youth brought which kept a very lively atmosphere for our event.
⚾ 312 Baseball Lab— for honoring the man who believed in young people on and off the field.
Red Bull, for keeping our spirits energized throughout the celebration.
Zakat Foundation of America in Chicago, for your generosity and free goods that blessed our neighbors.
Moya Produce for your generosity in donating the delicious tamales and drinks.
Aida Flores, for sponsoring the bouncy house and bringing so much joy to the little ones.
Rancheros Unidos Del Medio Oeste for bringing their beautiful dancing horses and holding firm the flags of America 🇺🇸 Mexico 🇲🇽 Chicago, and of course our United Merchants of Pilsen Chamber of Commerce.
Quetzal-Xóchitl Bailables Folklorico for dancing beautifully and keeping our Mexican traditions alive.
Mexican Civic Society of Illinois for your contributions and being MC for this wonderful event.
Chicago Foto Studio for your continued support and contributions to this event.
For all the volunteers who helped to serve the delicious food and drinks and helping to fill everyone’s belly.
To the volunteers who helped to set up and break down our entire event. We are forever grateful to you for your help.
To ALL sponsors and contributors every donation, every gesture, every act of love made this day extraordinary.
Most of all, thank you to Mr. G's family, his mentees, his friends, and every single person who ever had the honor of crossing paths with him. You showed up not just for a ceremony, you showed up for him. And he deserved every single moment of it.
Rigoberto Gonzalez touched this community in ways that words will never fully capture. He poured himself into the people around him, quietly, consistently, and with so much heart. Now, every time someone walks that corner, his name will be right there. A reminder of what it looks like to truly give yourself to a community.
Pilsen will never forget you, Mr. G. Your legacy lives on in our streets, in our hearts, and in every life you touched. 🕊️*”
Con mucho amor y gratitud,
United Merchants of Pilsen Chamber of Commerce & All Who Loved Him.
