A street sign honoring the late Army Veteran and retired Chicago Firefighter, Lt. Dwain P. Williams, was unveiled at a ceremony this week, according to the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Ald. Howard B. Brookin Jr. (21st) and Carrie M. Austin (34th) were joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the family of the late Lt. Dwain P. Williams for the ceremony from 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on February 26 at the corner of W 95th Street and S Peoria Street.
Four signs will be installed along the W 95th, 96th, 97th, and 98th streets and S Peoria. Lt. Dwain P. Williams set an extraordinary standard for love, education, civic responsibility, work ethic, unity, peace, and commitment to the betterment of humanity. He mentored many youth and young adults as an educator at St. Philip Neri School and instructor at the Chicago Park District. Over the course of 26 years, Lt. Williams was assigned to Engine 122 as an Emergency Medical Technician and CAD- Computer Instructor, Command Van-274, Hazardous Incident Team/5-1-1, and served as a Chicago Fire Instructor (Response to Terrorism Basic Concepts). He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 2005 and to Lieutenant in 2011. In 2018, Lt. Williams was assigned to the OEMC as a Fire Tactical Desk/Watch Officer. His emergency management acumen was pivotal to the success of the city’s advancement in intelligence and tactical response.
During his life, Williams acquired four degrees and over 80 certifications in mathematical, scientific, and independent studies earning countless awards and accolades. His life accomplishments were selected to be detailed in the prestigious book of “Who’s Who of Outstanding Young Americans”.
The streets named after him are nestled in Washington Heights, which was his home for 30 years. The sign was proposed to honor the life and legacy of the late (Lt) who was killed on December 3, 2020, during an attempted carjacking while out getting popcorn. His impact on the city was tremendous. Lt. Williams worked to save as many lives as he could reach to keep Chicago youth off the streets and out of early graves. He understood his city’s need for sustainable change to combat the epidemic of crime and violence that has taken over the city. He exemplified what it means to be a hero in word and deed. The erection of the signs was approved by the City Council in January.
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