Nominated by
Nancy Wieting
April 07, 2017
My 3-time Hall of Fame husband James Earl Hobson, has been employed with Chicago Park District for the past 37 years. Currently, he is the supervisor of Garfield Park (27 years) on the Westside in an area commonly referred to as the killing fields, and former supervisor of Kiwanis Park on the North side, in area commonly referred to as the 'Jungle'...
In 1981 and 1990, local newspapers gave vivid accounts of the gangs, drugs, death, destruction, and lack of supervision that plagued these parks.
Suffice to say, that for the past 37 years, Hobson was given the mission of removing all negativity and dehumanizing activity from these parks. He was told to restore order, install sports programs, recreation programs, special programs, and return theses parks to the communities for they were intended.
Hobson fulfilled his missions as ordered! All gangs have been removed from these parks, there has never been another shooting, killing, and all other negative activity has also been removed.
Hobson has been publicly credited with saving thousands of lives over the years in the Chicago with his famous sports and after school programs.
On 'June 28, 1990, Kiwanis was recognized by Mayor Richard M. Daley, as the best park in Chicago. On October 24, 2012, Garfield Park was recognized by the State of Illinois Department on Aging as the best park in Chicago..
On June 18, 1985, the Chicago Police Department awarded Hobson it's '1985 Citizens Award. On December 11, 1990, the Rogers Park Community Council awarded Hobson it's '1990 Citizen of the Year Award'. .
On June 28, 1990, Hobson became the only person in Chicago history to receive both of the highest honors bestowed upon a public employee, and 20 years earlier, the highest honor as a person; the Chicago Metropolitan Area 'Supervisory Employee of the Year Award', and on January 20, 1970, the Chicago Medal of Merit'.
Also, Hobson is a 3-Time Hall of Fame Inductee:.
1. Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (May 21, 2016).
2. State of Illinois Department on Aging 'Senior Hall of Fame (October 24, 2012)'.
3. Habilitative Systems Inc. Hall of Fame (March 4, 1995).
Hobson, is a decorated Vietnam veteran:
Squad Leader (11 men), Led men on many combat missions against the North Vietnamese Army Regulars and the Viet Cong. Never lost a man to enemy fire.
Received the Bronze Star (v, device), Air Medal (flew more than 25 aerial missions), Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Combat Leader Certificate, Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal.Thank you in advance for your consideration of this nomination..
Nancy Wieting