Chicago West Side Developer Killed Near United Center

A West Side developer involved in one of Chicago’s most closely watched megaprojects was shot and killed in broad daylight this week while making his way between offices.

Jerry Lewis, a 67-year-old developer and contractor affiliated with the United Center’s $7 billion 1901 Project, was gunned down Tuesday afternoon outside a condo building at 2127 West Madison Street, steps from one of his business’ offices and just a few blocks from the development. Police said officers in the area witnessed two armed assailants open fire at about 12:50 p.m. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the killing.

Lewis was transported to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and pronounced dead just minutes later, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Two suspects, ages 28 and 31, were taken into custody, though charges had not been announced as of Wednesday.

Beyond his development work, Lewis was known for a grassroots approach to real estate — one that focused less on large-scale deals and more on building local pipelines of entrepreneurs. Family members told the publication that he spent years mentoring West Side residents, particularly those with histories of incarceration or gang involvement, helping them start businesses and navigate financing, hiring and operations.

“He believed in developing others for the best, showing people a different way,” his wife, Zandra Lewis, told the outlet.

That mission dovetailed with broader redevelopment efforts around the United Center, where the 1901 Project aims to reshape a swath of the Near West Side with mixed-use development, housing and commercial space. Lewis’ involvement centered around how to ensure longtime residents benefit from the investment wave.

According to his family, Lewis grew up on the West Side and made a point of reinvesting in the same communities. His son, Zach Lewis, said his father’s work centered on creating economic mobility at the neighborhood level — often one small business at a time.

Alderman Walter Burnett, whose ward includes the site of the shooting, described Lewis as a connector who prioritized second chances.

“Jerry never cared about someone’s past and extended grace to those looking to improve their lives,” Burnett said in a statement.

The killing also highlights ongoing public safety concerns in areas targeted for large-scale development. The midday shooting unfolded in a busy corridor near the United Center, as nearby residents reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a heavy police response within minutes, according to the outlet.

Lewis’ family said they intend to carry forward his work, continuing efforts to connect West Side residents to business opportunities tied to the area’s redevelopment.

— Eric Weilbacher