Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina parish has long been an impassioned voice against injustice in its many forms in our city and our nation. He will address what Chicago must do to stem the tide of gun violence that so stubbornly afflicts our city. 

Father Pfleger has consistently spoken out against gun violence during his decades at St. Sabina. He has organized not only an annual Peace Rally and Stop the Violence March at the parish, but also weekly Friday night peace marches in the community every summer. He sponsors gun buy-backs. He recently proposed that all city churches, mosques, and synagogues forfeit their tax exempt status unless they provide a full slate of activities for young people, especially on weekends.  

“Children are our best investment; they could be our peacemakers; and they are getting killed, burying our future,” he said. “Now everybody has to step up because we no longer have a choice.”Having lost a foster son to gang crossfire in 1998, he also speaks eloquently on behalf of those who have lost loved ones to senseless shootings.

Join us on October 6th as Father Pfleger shares a glimpse into his daily activism which challenges his community and the city of Chicago to find a solution to stop gun violence while reminding everyone to live out Jesus' command to love one another.

Rick Kogan, columnist for the Chicago Tribune and host of WGN radio's “After Hours with Rick Kogan” will talk with Barbara Gaines, founder and recently retired artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets go on sale October 6th at 12 noon

Howard Reich: The Art of Inventing Hope

Friday, December 1, 2023 | 12 Noon | Union League Club Chicago

Howard Reich, award winning journalist, filmmaker, and author of The Art of Inventing Hope, will reflect on his intimate conversations with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, which included shared stories of Howard's father who was also a Holocaust survivor. Tickets go on sale November 3rd at 12 noon.

Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General

Friday, January 5, 2024 | 12 Noon | Union League Club Chicago

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The mission of the First Friday Club of Chicago is to provide a forum for men and women to make connections between work, faith, values and issues that affect their daily lives.