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The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19) is excited to host its first ever historic walking tour in Chicago’s Loop from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.
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WIU Professor Hosts Historic Race Riot Walking Tour in Chicago on Nov. 8

November 5, 2025

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MACOMB, IL - - The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19) is excited to host its first ever historic walking tour in Chicago's Loop from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

Peter Cole, a Western Illinois History professor, seeks to educate and bring awareness to one of the most impactful race riots in Illinois and U.S. History this weekend.

There has been upwards of $400,000 raised for the public art component of CRR19 and they have recently reached the halfway mark in installation with 19 installed and 19 more to go. The CRR19 crew will be joined by Aldermen Lamont Robinson and Bill Conway (whose wards they will be walking), as well as Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood.

This event will start at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State Street on the 7th floor in the Chicago Authors room. The first hour will serve as a panel discussion with some of the artists who have created the markers.

At approximately noon, the walking tour will begin at the corner of Van Buren and State. The tour will conclude at Wabash & Adams, where a third marker will be featured. The tour will be about 1.25 miles in total and take about one hour.

"We're excited to celebrate reaching the halfway point in our plan to install markers for all 38 people killed in the Chicago Race Riot of 1919," Cole said. "That's why public art is such a wonderful way to uplift history--because public art is free and accessible, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Before a community can be truly just, we must heal from historic atrocities that have divided us."

All guests are invited to join in one or both parts. This project is a collaboration between The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, Organic Oneness and Firebird Community Arts. Marker installation led by Engage Civil and Trice Construction.

Admission is free to attend. To reserve your spot, visit Eventbrite or contact founder Peter Cole, at p-cole@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Keyana Cruse (k-cruse@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing