The two names usually used as shorthand for the West Loop’s new park are the Chicago Park District’s administrative-feeling Park #542 and the more informal (and geographic) Adams-Sangamon Park.

Recently, Ald. Robert Fioretti’s office pitched an official name for the space to park district superintendent Timothy Mitchell.

The honoree: Mary Bartelme.

Born near Halsted and Fulton in 1866, Bartelme became the first female judge in Illinois in 1923 and the second female judge in the nation, according to a biography of Bartelme written by Brian Hays, Michael Levy and Gwen Hoerr McNamee and included the Chicago Bar Association’s 1998 book, 125 Years of Women Lawyers in Illinois.

After being admitted to the Illinois bar in 1894, according to the biography, Bartelme began her legal career as a probate attorney with Barnes, Barnes & Bartelme.

Her practice, however, ultimately focused on the plight of children and young people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Chicago was industrializing and immigrants were filling the city. In 1897, she was appointed Public Guardian for Cook County, the first woman in the country to fill that role. She used the post to improve the lot of teens and children in Chicago who needed assistance. It was a role that brought her into close contact with such renowned social reformers of the era as Jane Addams, the founder of the Hull House settlement house on the Near West Side.

“In fulfilling her duties as Public Guardian, Bartelme began to envision a new system of care for children that would provide them with suitable homes where they would receive an education and kind treatment,” the biography says.

In 1913, Bartelme left her guardian position to serve as an assistant to Merritt Pickney, then the presiding judge of Cook County Circuit Court, where she advised Pickney on juvenile and women’s issues. Ten years later, she was elected judge in the county juvenile court system. She later taught at Northwestern University and was active in many of the city’s legal organizations and service clubs.

Bartelme died in 1954 at the age of 88.

“Bartelme was an outstanding example of the type of civic service that should be commemorated,” Fioretti’s letter to Mitchell reads. “I urge you to approve this proposal to name Adams/Sangamon for Mary Bartelme.”

In recent years, the park district has pushed to name new facilities and parks after Chicago women.

---

By Gina from West Loop
Posted: 08/05/2010 2:09 AM

I agree that West Loop Park is a better name. I don't understand either how or why this name was proposed. It's not complaining to want community input in what name we put on a park in our neighborhood. The community should have been consulted before it was submitted to the park district; not told about it after the fact.

---

By Brian from Monroe/Sangamon
Posted: 08/04/2010 2:57 PM

I'm no cheerleader for either Alderman but seriously...it's just a name on the sign. Without their work we wouldn't have the park to begin with. Burnett tried for years to get a park over here and as soon as Fioretti came along the two of them finally got it done. All the complaining is seriously unwarranted.

---

By Dr Blume from West Loop
Posted: 08/04/2010 9:37 AM

How was the Mary Bartelme name picked? Was there a committee to consider the name or did some advisory council suggest it? Is there a process to review or suggest alternate names? What's wrong with WEST LOOP PARK; after all shouldn't we consider all the West Loop one homogeneous area without highlighting any unique characteristic features in the West Loop?

---

By si from Loop
Posted: 07/31/2010 6:19 PM

www.park542.com

---

By West Loop Citizen Advocate from Wishing Burnett were my alderman
Posted: 07/23/2010 3:32 PM

"It seems like we, the taxpayers, never get consulted..." ---> And you never will as long as flip flop Fioretti (FFF) is alderman. "Left Out" is all you will ever be. Whatever FFF does is strictly for his own political benefit. Remember, he really wants to run for Congress/Mayor/whatever higher position is currently available. Many articles have already figured him as running for Mayor. Maybe he should have kept his promises instead of using his aldermanship as a launch pad for his ambitions!

---

By Dog Owner from West Loop
Posted: 07/23/2010 11:34 AM

In response to Jaco: Unfortunately, as there are some irresponsible dog owners, there are people who don't appreciate what a great neighborhood West Loop is and will continue to be with the addition of another park for both humans and dogs. Consider moving?

---

By Left out from West Loop
Posted: 07/23/2010 1:57 AM

Why wasn't there a community process for the naming of the park? It seems like we, the taxpayers, never get consulted. The deals are already done before we learn about it. How come Fioretti is pushing a name and no one in the community was consulted?

---

By Disgruntled tax payer from west loop
Posted: 07/19/2010 4:34 PM

This park was supposed to be completely 4 years ago. Blame the politicians and the workers for delays. First, the politician's for the usual bureaucratic B.S. Second, if you walk by the park you will see the workers relaxing in the swings at 7:30 in the morning. Lived in the West loop for 5 years. Time to move on. Remove the lazy politicians and their big pensions and maybe something will actually be completed on time.

---

By Jaco
Posted: 07/19/2010 10:10 AM

This park is gonna be overrun with dogs and will be covered in dog poop. They should build parks for humans.

---

By Tom from West Loop
Posted: 07/18/2010 12:15 PM

This park was supposed to be open in early July and now we are coming up on August?? What is the deal??

---

By Leslie Recht from West Loop
Posted: 07/01/2010 2:58 PM

During a time when careers for women were limited, Mary Bartelme showed that a woman could lead the way in public policy reform and women\'s suffrage. We are lucky to be able to name our new West Loop park for such an outstanding woman. Hull House will soon have an exhibit featuring Mary Bartelme\'s work and everyone can learn more about the important reforms that she and her friends initiated.