News at the Network
TAKE THE NEW CRAIN'S AND THE CHICAGO NETWORK SURVEY!


We often hear that one of the top reasons employees remain at a company is job flexibility. One thing's for sure: over the past decade, the definition of the workday, even the workplace, and  a clear understanding of the benefits that matter have been evolving.

To gauge where workplace policies are hitting the mark, and where they're off-target, Crain's and TCN are surveying readers like you for our fourth annual joint survey. Which benefits do you have? And which ones are most important? What is missing? And how do benefits such as flexibility and remote working influence your plans to stay at your job or to look elsewhere?

All responses are anonymous; they will be used to inform an April story in Crain's If you are not currently working, please respond based on the last full-time position you held. The estimated time to complete the survey is 10 minutes or less.

TCN Members in the News
The New York Times logo
WENDY DAVIDSON INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES
In an interview with The New York Times, Wendy Davidson, President U.S. Specialty Channels, Kellogg Company, discussed where she gets her creative energy, running her first marathon, entrepreneurship and cookies, and being bold.
 
"You need to be uncomfortable to grow professionally and personally. I make it a point to take risks and challenge myself, sometimes to the extreme," said Wendy Davidson. Read more...

Forbes logo 
LINDA JOJO ON CAREER JOURNEY AT UNITED AIRLINES
In an interview with Forbes, Linda Jojo discussed her path from board-level CIO to  EVP, Technology and Chief Digital Officer at United Airlines

"When I think about what first attracted me to technology, and specifically into technology in support of businesses versus core technology, it is the fact that it touches every corner of the organization. When you start from that basis, IT executives and CIOs have a unique position to contribute," said Linda Jojo. Read more...

MICHELLE SEITZ INTERVIEW WITH FINANCIAL TIMES
In an interview with Financial Times, Michelle Seitz, CEO, Russell Investments, discussed her rise to the top and her new-found frankness about being a working mother. 
 
"I decided to be a little more personal than I probably would have been earlier in my career. I put a big picture of my kids on the screen and talked about how important my family is to me," said Michelle Seitz. Read more...
Chicago Tribune Logo
MADELEINE GRYNSZTEJN AHEAD OF MCA RENOVATIONS 

The Chicago Tribune featured Madeleine Grynsztejn, Pritzker Director, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, who has taken the museum to new heights with a new top-notch first-floor restaurant, Marisol, and a cafe and plaza space. In addition, the exterior of the building has been softened and highlighted for nearby Michigan Avenue by bold yellow lighted "MCA" signs.  Also in 2017, the museum's store notched its highest-grossing year, with more than $5 million in sales.
 
"I do remember saying, 'I'm not going to come here to sit still, I am obsessed with a lack of redundancy," said Madeleine Grynsztejn. Read more...
CHICAGOANS WHO WILL CHANGE THE BUSINESS WORLD IN 2018
The Chicago Tribune put together a list of Chicagoans who will change the business world in 2018. Each person will take on new challenges in 2018 that make them among the Chicago businesspeople worth watching. Wendy DuBoe, CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and Andrea Zopp, President and CEO of World Business Chicago, were on the list. Read more...
CHICAGO TRIBUNE WOMEN WHO INSPIRED US IN 2017
The Chicago Tribune featured 10 women who inspired us beyond measure in 2017, including  Bridget Gainer, Vice President of Global Public Affairs for Aon and Cook County Commissioner representing Chicago's neighborhoods, and Dorri McWhorter, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.

"I have never been more proud to be a woman, to be a mother and, believe it or not, to be a politician, as I was in 2017. It's impossible for me not to credit this year's highest moment of pride to all the mothers, the daughters, the sisters and the best friends who said, 'Enough is enough,' and spoke out about sexual harassment," said Bridget Gainer.

"What's next for women in 2018? I'm particularly excited about the YWCA and its launch of a women's empowerment exchange-traded fund on the New York Stock Exchange. It's again a reminder of yet another domain where women can have an impact through their investment dollars. I think that whether it's investing, or how we leverage social media to use our voice, that there are so many opportunities for women," said Dorri McWhorter.   Read more...
SUSAN ABRAMS AMONG VISIONARIES WHO MADE HISTORY AT THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center CEO Susan Abrams was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as one of two visionaries spearheaded the effort of unveiling The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center's theater in which visitors can speak with holographic images of Holocaust survivors. Read more...
VICKY KALOGERA A TOP SCIENCE STORY IN 2017
Vicky Kalogera , Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished University Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Director, CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration & Research in Astrophysics), Northwestern University,  was quoted in an article about the top science stories of 2017 in a year of major breakthroughs, which also highlighted the Neutron stars collision.

"Our discovery confirms a lot of our theoretical predictions, including that double neutron stars give rise to gamma rays, optical, infrared, X-rays and radio waves. At the same time, there are hints in these observations that are providing new mysteries we still need to understand," said Vicky Kalogera. Read more...
CARY GRACE ON AON'S ACQUISITION OF TOWNSEND GROUP
Aon (Cary Grace and Bridget Gainerannounced it has completed its acquisition of The Townsend Group Townsend is a leading provider of global investment management and advisory services primarily focused on real estate and real assets.  

"We are excited to welcome the Townsend organization into Aon and further enhance our investment solutions in areas that are of increasing importance to our clients," said Cary Grace, CEO of Global Retirement & Investment Solutions at Aon. "Working together, our combined teams will continue to expand our capabilities and expertise in alternative investments to create sophisticated and transparent offerings that provide our clients with objective advice and solutions."  Read more...
GRAHAM MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES PODCAST DIVISION
Graham Media Group  ( Emily Barr announced the launch of its podcast division, which is uniquely positioned to offer compelling, original audio content.  First to launch is "Mismatch," a series produced in partnership with WDIV-Local 4 (Detroit). "Mismatch" explores stories about the incompatible, the unsuitable, and the out-of-step.
 
"Our stations are the voices of our communities and full of smart and engaging storytellers. Podcasts are a natural extension of what we are really good at doing. Graham Media Group has some great podcasts in the hopper. We are excited to share them," said Emily Barr. Read more...

COOK COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY NOW SELF-SUSTAINING 
The Cook County Land Bank, started by Bridget Gainer, and its impact in the Chicago community was featured by CBS Chicago. Bridget Gainer started the Land Bank with money from the mortgage foreclosure settlement. It's now self-sustaining, with no tax dollars or grants used.  The Land Bank encourages developers to sell homes at below-market prices, which helps new homeowners get affordable mortgages.
 
"We've created wealth all throughout communities, because when someone owns their home, they're building wealth for their future. When a local person has developed that home and built a business, that's also building stability for the future, and we're adding money to the tax rolls," said Bridget Gainer.  Read more.... 

FUNMI OLOPADE ORGANIZES WORKSHOP TO BOOST ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN AFRICA
Recently, the University of Chicago brought together scientists from the United States, Nigeria and Ghana for a conference that generated ideas for studying topics in Africa.  The workshop was organized by Olufunmilayo Olopade, the Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics and dean for global health at the University of Chicago. Read more...
UNIVISION CHICAGO PREMIERED ITS FIRST-EVER BILINGUAL DOCUMENTARY "ROSTROS DEL 2017"
"Rostros del 2017" ("Faces of 2017"), a bilingual documentary that chronicles the lives of five individuals who work daily to improve and better our communities, and produced by Univision's Chicago Content Lab and directed by Alessandra Martín, Ivan Garcia, and Teri Arvesuaired on WXFT UniMás 60 on December 17 and December 25 on WGBO Univision 66. 
Click here to see the entire documentary.
Lisa Madigan
NEW HATE CRIME LAW GOES INTO EFFECT 
A new hate crime law initiated by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan went into effect at the start of the new year. The new law expands the list of offenses that can be prosecuted as hate crimes to address the increasing use of technology to attack victims.
 
"Hate crimes have increased at an alarming rate over the past year. We must not tolerate crimes committed by individuals who are motivated by hatred or bias against others based on their race, religion, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation," said Lisa Madigan. Read more...
CONGRESS-APPROVED BILLS SEEKS TO MAKE FEDERAL WEBSITES ON MOBILE TECH
Congress has passed a bill that would mandate federal agencies to make all public-facing government websites accessible through the use of mobile devices. The Connected Government Act was approved by five senators and sponsored by  Robin Kelly.
 
"We have a responsibility to keep pace with technological innovation and make it easy for citizens to engage with their government," said Robin Kelly. Read more...
New Roles
THERESA MINTLE NAMED INTERIM VICE CHANCELLOR FOR PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Theresa Mintle has been appointed Interim Vice Chancellor for Public and Government Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As Interim Vice Chancellor, she will have oversight of Public Affairs, Marketing and Brand Management, Government Relations, Digital Communications and Community Relations. Theresa most recently served as President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and brings over 30 years of experience in government and government affairs-related positions. Read more...
Awards
JILL WINE-BANKS AND SUSANA MENDOZA AT TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS AWARDS DINNER
The Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) held its annual Awards Dinner on December 17. The event celebrated grass-roots activism that has helped local Democrats enjoy victories in 2017 and continues to focus unprecedented energy headed into the 2018 election season.

J ill Wine-Banks, prominent Watergate prosecutor and frequent MSNBC contributor, delivered the keynote address, where she discussed her career and offered her perspective on Watergate, the Trump presidency, and more.

In addition to the keynote speech, the Mikva Leadership Award was presented to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza  for her public service. Read more...
SUNNY FISCHER TO BE AWARDED AT ANNUAL REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION
Sunny Fischer will be awarded at the Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President's Reception and conferring of the University of Chicago Diversity Leadership Awards on Tuesday, January 16.

Tuesday, January 16
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Program Begins at 4:30 p.m.

Ida Noyes Hall,
The Cloister Club
1212 East 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois
Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Persons with special requests may contact  Kelly Meisner  at   univ-events@uchicago.edu   or  773.702.9626
Announcements
CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN ANNOUNCES OVER $1 MILLION IN ECONOMIC SECURITY AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE GRANTS
Chicago Foundation for Women ( K. Sujata and Alysia Tate) announced 44 grants totaling $1,094,250 to support economic security and reproductive justice for Chicago-area women and girls. CFW funds grassroots organizing, advocacy, direct services, education and research to advance equal opportunities and basic rights for women and girls.
 
"Chicago Foundation for Women funds a continuum of services and initiatives to empower women to achieve lasting economic security. Education and workforce development programs give women and girls the skills to succeed, while support and stabilization services ensure women are able to stay on track to achieve their goals," said K. Sujata. 
SUZET MCKINNEY SPEAKS AT UIC COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 
Dr. Suzet McKinney, CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District, spoke to graduate students at the University of Illinois at Chicago's commencement ceremony on December 16 at the UIC Pavilion.
 
The Illinois Medical District, which houses four hospitals, medical research facilities, labs, a biotech business incubator, two universities, development areas and more than 40 health care facilities.  McKinney's experience, reputation and communication skills have made her a highly resourced on-camera media expert on emergency issues and a point of reference and support for the federal government's Defense Threat Reduction Agency . Read more...
Opinion 
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