A NOTE FROM CELENA ROLDÁN, CEO OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CHICAGO & NORTHERN ILLINOIS

The American Red Cross (

Celena Roldán ) is immensely grateful to the outpouring of support from the Chicagoland area and, especially, The Chicago Network. The conditions in Texas and Louisiana continue to be overwhelmingly difficult and the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois is doing all we can to respond. We have deployed 20 volunteers to the operation with an eye to send more as needed. These individuals will be helping to support an effort that has already opened 30 shelters, is sheltering 17,000 of our neighbors in need, and is gearing up to shelter over 50,000 people total.

 

The most effective way to help the Red Cross right now is a gift of financial support via https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation, but please contact Celena Roldan ([email protected]) if your company would like to partner with the Red Cross more closely now or after this immense relief effort. We also encourage you and your employees to connect with the Red Cross on social media and volunteer with us via http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer#step1. Thank you in advance for all your generous assistance to all those we serve.

LISA MADIGAN SUES TO ENFORCE CHICAGO POLICE REFORM; EMANUEL PLEDGES COOPERATION

llinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Tuesday, August 29, sued the city of Chicago, contending Mayor Rahm Emanuel's reforms are not sufficient to prevent the Chicago Police Department from continuing a pattern of deadly and excessive force that disproportionately hurts African-Americans and Latinos.  Despite the sharp criticism in the lawsuit, Lisa Madigan and Rahm Emanuel appeared together at a news conference where they called the effort moving forward with a partnership. Read more...

MICHELLE LARSON ON SOLAR ECLIPSE AND CHANGES AT THE MUSEUM

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Adler Planetarium CEO  Michelle Larson discussed how the Museum enlightened the public about the solar eclipse, reasons behind the increase in visitors and how the Museum is doing financially.

 

"The majority of it is a change in approach and change in attitude. Rather than saying, 'Please come through the doors, and we'll teach you something,' we've really changed to say, 'Hey, we're trying to figure something out, want to help?' It's this idea of trying to engage people in joining us rather than trying to educate people about what we know." Read more...

LORI ANDREWS: WHEN I SAW A REAL-LIFE SUPERHERO AT THE AIRPORT: ROSIE THE RIVETER

Chicago-Kent College of Law Professor Lori Andrews wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune about meeting Elinor Otto, one of the original Rosie the Riveters, who was returning home after receiving an award from the U.S. Air Force. Read more...

THE HISTORYMAKERS RECORDING BLACK HISTORY ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD

A groundbreaking project to record the oral histories of 5,000 African Americans has returned to the Vineyard for the second time in its 17-year history, with more than three dozen videotaped interviews scheduled over two weeks.

"This project is really about discovery, and it's about identity," said Julieanna Richardson, Founder and Executive Director of Chicago-based The HistoryMakers, a national archive now linked to the Library of Congress and 26 colleges and universities from coast to coast.  "Together we are doing what no one else in the history of the United States has done."  Read more...

THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO AND UCHICAGO APPOINTED CO-COMMISSIONERS OF U.S. PAVILION AT VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago ( Elissa Tenny) and the University of Chicago jointly announced their selection by the U.S. Department of State to serve as co-commissioners of the United States Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. As co-commissioners, the two institutions will organize "Dimensions of Citizenship," the exhibition they proposed as the official United States contribution to the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, on view from May 26 through November 25, 2018.

 

"At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, we are always engaging with how artists, designers, and scholars enact their citizenship," says SAIC President Elissa Tenny. "This means recognizing the responsibility artists and designers have to explore pressing issues, like the politics of belonging, and generate new ideas, which help us better share our common humanity." Read more...

ANGER IN AMERICA: MAD IS BAD, SO MANAGE YOUR ANGER -- OR ELSE

 

"So don't get angry when I remind you that if you want to live a healthier, happier lifestyle, it's not enough to eat well, exercise often and use a standing desk. You've also got to do something to manage your hostility and let go of resentment, bitterness and other toxic emotions."  Read more...

CIVIC FEDERATION SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

The Civic Federation and Motorola Solutions Foundation have issued a call for nominations for the 26th Annual Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award. 

The award is given annually to a non-elected state or local government employee in Illinois who has made an extraordinary impact on the quality of government services. The deadline to submit nominations is deadline of Friday, September 22nd. 

To submit your nomination, please send the nominee's name, title, government and email address, along with an overview of the nominee's achievements, to [email protected] .  You are encouraged to provide details or observations that go beyond standard career or biographical highlights. Please note that individuals eligible for nomination must be an Illinois resident and should be currently serving as a non-elected Illinois state or local government official, including department heads and chiefs of staff.

Former Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Julie Hamos is a past honoree. For a complete list of past honorees or for more information, click here!