Little Italy in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Florence Giovangelo Scala

Community Activist

— 1918-2007 —

Florence Giovangelo Scala Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 3, 2026

1. Florence Giovangelo Scala Marker

Inscription. Here is her lifetime home — except for two years after it was twice firebombed because of her leadership in the effort to save Little Italy from construction of the University of Illinois Chicago campus. During that absence, starting in 1962, she and her husband Charles took shelter in Hull House where she had been a student and later a volunteer. She also was active in other community-improvement organizations, culminating in her leading marches, demonstrations, and a sit-in at City Hall to protest plans to level a large part of the neighborhood to build a college campus. Her group lost. The campus opened in 1965. Nevertheless, she welcomed students and faculty members who moved into what remained of what had been a largely Italian-American community. In her later years, she ran a restaurant, Florence (named for the city—not her), where her late father previously had a tailor shop. She served politicians, professors, students, and everyone else who appreciated her fine Italian cuisine.

Erected 2026.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education •

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Food & Drink • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.

Location. 41° 52.178′ N, 87° 39.146′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Little Italy. It is at the intersection of West Taylor Street and South Miller Street, on the right when traveling west on West Taylor Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1030 West Taylor Street, Chicago IL 60607, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s West Side. 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 walking distance of this marker: Father Arnold Damen, S.J. (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Ignatius College Prep Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (approx. ¼ mile away); Land Acknowledgement (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jane Addams' Hull-House and Dining Hall

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 3, 2026

2. Florence Giovangelo Scala Marker

The marker is to the left of the door.

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Juvenile Court of Cook County Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jane Addams' Hull House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joseph Lovings (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The plaque was unveiled on September 17, 2026, at the home where Scala lived her whole life. Her father operated a tailor shop from the building, and her restaurant Florence, referenced on this marker, was also at this location and closed in 1990. As of 2026 the building houses an Indian restaurant called Curry on Fire.

Also see . . .
1. Plaque Honoring Florence Scala, Who Fought Displacement Of Immigrants, Unveiled In Little Italy. From Block Club Chicago.

Excerpt: "Scala, who died in 2007 at 88, has become a symbol for Chicago’s Italian-American community, especially after the city removed three prominent statues of Christopher Columbus following protests in July 2020. An Italian-American museum, 1501 W. Taylor St., named in Scala’s honor is set to open as early as October and will feature the Columbus statue removed from Arrigo Park, 801 S. Loomis St."

(Submitted on October 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Daley vs. Little Italy.

Paid Advertisement

An article from Curious City, a project by WBEZ, Chicago's public radio station, examines Mayor Richard J. Daley's move to build the University of Illinois at Chicago campus in the city's Little Italy neighborhood.

Excerpt: "So, did Daley — one of the most powerful mayors in American history — peevishly drop UIC on top of Little Italy as punishment for disloyalty at the ballot box, as Ronnie suspects? It’s worth exploring this theory because it reflects a pervasive suspicion among Taylor Street’s Italian diaspora that the decision was aimed at hurting Italians. And, though Daley came to see UIC as one of his proudest accomplishments, it came at a high cost — for the Italian-American community and even Daley himself."

(Submitted on October 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.