"The cadences and tonalities of this music later evolved into rock and roll. In short, the musical development that was centered around the Maxwell Street area forms the cornerstone of one of the most important musical and cultural developments in American society in our generation." - Howard Stovall, Executive Director of The Blues Foundation

The Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition wants the remaining blocks along South Halsted Street and along Maxwell Street to be preserved and fixed up for a historic district to especially honor Chicago Jewish history, The Great Migration from the Mississippi Delta, Mexican immigrant history, immigrant enterprise, and the Blues heritage of Chicago. The legacy of Maxwell Street does not belong to the University of Illinois. It is a public good for all the world. This is our history. Don't let it be destroyed. The University intends to demolish everything.

Please send a message of concern saying you want a Maxwell Street Historic Preservation District incorporated into the University of Illinois's plans for development of the Maxwell Street area. Send your message to: Chancellor David Broski, University of Illinois at Chicago, 601 S. Morgan, Chicago, IL 60607 USA; Phone: 312-413-3350; Fax: 312-413-3393; email:

Send us a copy of your Broski message so we may post it on our web site. -- Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition c/o Professor Steve Balkin, Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA; Phone: 312-341-3696; FAX: 312-341-3680; email. Homepage .

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