Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois
Site 1
Illinois Chapter Headquarters
Photo: (l-r) Deputy Minister of Defense Bobby Rush, Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton on February 1, 1969, at headquarters, 2350 W. Madison, Photographer Paul Sequeira, STM-037873701, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Site 1: Illinois Chapter Headquarters
Members of the public inspect damage done by a Chicago Police raid on July 31, 1969. Credit: Joe Marino, ST-19030961-0006, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Name
Illinois Chapter Headquarters; “The Office.”
Location
2350 W. Madison, Chicago, IL 60612, Near West Side, Mile Square
Historical Period of Significance
1969-1974
Original Structure
Demolished.
Panther Activities
Operations: Community programs and education, political campaigns, newspaper distribution, coalition-building efforts
Leadership, community and ally organizing site
Site of FBI and Chicago Police raids
Historical Marker Installation Status
Not yet Installed.
PHOTOS
In the June 21, 1969, issue of The Black Panther, an article by Eugene Charles describes the June 4, 1969, FBI and Chicago Police raid on the Illinois Chapter headquarters. At 5:15 a.m., approximately 30 officers surrounded the Panthers from the rooftop and the building next door. The police had already shut down a two-mile perimeter around the office. It was later proven that FBI informant George Samms, who was supposedly on the run, had traveled to various Black Panther Party offices before they were raided. Several Panthers were charged with harboring a fugitive.
A boy helps clean the office after another police raid on July 30, 1969. Photographer Perry C. Riddle, ST-19030968-0011, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
News clipping from "The Times Advocate" on Sunday, October 5, 1969. The article describes a police raid at headquarters on October 4, 1969.
Members of the Young Patriots meet with Bobby Rush; in the background is Communications Secretary Ann Campbell. ST-19031008-0013, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
December 6, 1969, article in "The Black Panther" newspaper about George Samms before the Party found out he was an FBI informant and provocateur. Source: Marxists.org
FBI Agents and Chicago Police officers raid headquarters on June 4, 1969, under the pretense of looking for a fugitive who was actually the informant, George Samms. Photographer Joe Marino, ST-19031007-0008, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Fred Hampton's brother, Bill Hampton, helps clean after the raid on June 4, 1969. In the background are Jewel Cook, Skip Andrew, Bobby Rush and others. ST-19031008-0001, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
A member of the Junior Panthers overlooks the damage done by police during the raid on July 30, 1969. Photographer Perry C. Riddle, ST-19030968-0080, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
On April 29, 1969, the Illinois Chapter holds a press conference regarding the upcoming "Free Huey!" rally and protest. (l-r) Yvonne King, Field Secretary; Ann Campbell, Communications Secretary; Christina "Chuckles" May, Deputy Minister of Culture. Photographer Duane Hall, ST-19030956-0004, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
