Bridgeview in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

George J. Cizek

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2026

1. George J. Cizek Marker

Inscription. In memory of George J. Cizek
Our first mayor 1947-1951 and a founding father of our community - 1947

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 41° 45.731′ N, 87° 48.389′ W. Marker is in Bridgeview, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Thomas Avenue south of 71st Street. The marker is in front of the Bridgeview Water Department. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7100 Thomas Avenue, Bridgeview IL 60455, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dedicated to the Memory of Clayton Lund, Bridgeview's Veterans and the Pioneers of Bridgeview

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(approx. half a mile away); Bridgeview Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wierzba Memorial Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Emmett Louis Till (approx. 0.9 miles away); Resurrection Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Mamie Till-Mobley (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeview.

Regarding George J. Cizek. Bridgeview formed in southwestern Cook County in the pre-World War II years and took its name by community vote in 1938, based on view of the area that could be seen from a bridge on nearby Harlem Avenue. Bridgeview incorporated as a village in 1947, with George Cizek, who had been president of the incorporation committee, as its first mayor.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Tribune: George Cizek obituary.

Excerpt: "In his youth, he was a drummer with dance bands at speakeasies during the prohibition years. He played to audiences that, his family said, sometimes included gangster Al Capone and several body guards. Mr. Cizek was part of a 17-piece band that opened at
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2026

2. George J. Cizek Marker in front of the Bridgeview Water Department
the old Melody Mill Ballroom in North Riverside. He later led a smaller combo that performed Polish, Italian, Irish and American Bohemian music at the old Derby Cafe at Clark and Huron."

(Submitted on March 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. History of Bridgeview. From the village website. (Submitted on March 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

George J. Cizek image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Village of Bridgeview

3. George J. Cizek

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.