Aurora names street after volunteer

Throughout most of his adult life everyone knew they could find Warren Cannon at his home in the 600 block of May Street. Now Aurora aldermen are poised to make sure everyone knew where the influential black pioneer and community activist spent his life.

At the request of Main Baptist Church, where Cannon spent several decades as trustee and deacon, the city will rename his block as Warren F. Cannon Street in memory of the lifelong Auroran who passed away in March at the age of 82.

"I'm very proud that the city council has taken the steps to rename May Street in honor of Warren Cannon because he's been so involved in the community since the early 1950s," said Alderman Mike Saville. "There's organizations that he headed that don't even exist anymore because he lived to better the community, so this is the least the city could do."

During his life, Cannon served in several organizations including the Aurora Housing Authority, Riverboat Commission, Wayside Christian Mission and Rotary International. Cannon was also a founding member of the Quad County Urban League and served on the boards of both Aurora University and Waubonsee Community College.

"I feel we have to remember our icons and the pillars of our community. Unfortunately when they were naming streets hundreds of years ago there were no African-Americans in place that we could even put a name on," said Seventh Ward Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns. "So to do an honorary street, we're saying to the community that we appreciate the work these leaders have done."

The dedication ceremony will take place at an undecided time on Cannon's birthday, July 10.