2017 Legendary Landmarks Celebration – Press Release

Landmarks Illinois Will Honor Fred Eychaner, Richard Hunt & Daniel McCaffery March 15 at Legendary Landmarks Celebration

January 24, 2017


CHICAGO –

Landmarks Illinois, a membership-based nonprofit advocating for the protection of historic and architecturally significant properties throughout the state, will host its annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration the evening of March 15, 2017 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Now in its 12th year, the celebration pays tribute to civic and cultural leaders who are making a mark on Chicago and beyond. 2017 Legendary Landmarks Honorees are: Fred Eychaner, civil rights and peace activist; Richard Hunt, internationally renowned artist; and Daniel McCaffery, CEO of McCaffery Interests, who is receiving this year’s “Corporate Landmark” honor.

“Our 2017 Legendary Landmark Honorees have dedicated their creativity and resources to shaping the world around them to benefit Chicagoans,” said Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “Each honoree has a unique way of impacting our city through their work, but what they have in common is a deep commitment to the history and culture of Chicago and their passion for creating a better future for its residents.”

More about the 2017 Legendary Landmarks Honorees

Fred Eychaner is a longtime civil rights and peace activist whose work has affected Chicago and the nation for more than 40 years. He is known for his philanthropy in the city, especially his support of LGBT organizations, HIV support organizations, arts institutions, public spaces and historic preservation. He is founder of Newsweb Corporation, a media company, and the Alphawood Foundation, a Chicago-based, grant-making private foundation working for an equitable, just and humane society.

Richard Hunt is an accomplished artist, whose work can be found in numerous museums as well as both public and private collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery and National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Hunt’s 30-by-300-foot welded bronze sculpture, “Swing Low,” was installed as a centerpiece in the Central Hall ceiling of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Daniel McCaffery is CEO of McCaffery Interests, a full-service commercial real estate company. Currently, McCaffery is in the process of redeveloping the former Children’s Memorial Hospital campus in Lincoln Park, in partnership with Hines. The project is poised to transform the six-acre site while incorporating the adaptive reuse of several historic structures, including two of the hospital’s original terra cotta façade buildings and its 1930 Puckey & Jenkins-designed Boiler Room and Laundry Building.

To read more about 2017 Legendary Landmarks Honorees, visit: https://www.landmarks.org/legendary-landmarks/

Additional event information

The annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration began in 2006 and has become Landmarks Illinois’ biggest fundraising event of the year, attracting close to 800 people. In 2015, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary and raised a record nearly $1 million in revenue for Landmarks Illinois programs. Over the years, Landmarks Illinois has honored close to 40 Legendary Landmarks – individuals and corporations dedicated to preserving our city’s and state’s unique character and culture. Past Legendary Landmarks include: Major League Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks; Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates; and Screenwriter, Director and Actor Harold Ramis. For a full list of past Legendary Landmarks, visit: https://www.landmarks.org/legendary-landmarks/.

The 2017 Legendary Landmarks Celebration kicks off with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. A dinner and award program honoring this year’s three Legendary Landmarks will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a dessert reception at 8:30 p.m.

Event Co-Chairs are Joseph Antunovich, President of Antunovich Associates; Mike Faron, Chairman, Chicago, of W.E. O’Neil; COL (IL) Jennifer Pritzker, IL ARNG (Ret) of Tawani Enterprises; and Anne Voshel, President of Van Dam Charitable Foundation. The Legendary Landmarks Host Committee is chaired by Sandra Rand, Landmarks Illinois Board Member. Committee members are: Shelly Gorson, Frieda Ireland, Judi Male, Janet Rotner and Martin V. Sinclair, Jr.

Event Reservations

Individual reservations for the celebration begin at $500 per person. Table reservations for 10 people are available at $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000 levels. To view more reservation options, visit: www.PJHChicago.com/event/landmarks. Proceeds from the Legendary Landmarks Celebration support Landmarks Illinois programs and grant funds, which provide essential financial assistance to preserving and revitalizing historic and architecturally significant buildings and spaces throughout the state. In addition to protecting our cultural heritage, these preservation projects create jobs, spur economic development, promote tourism in Illinois cities and towns and improve the quality of life for residents.

About Landmarks Illinois

We are people saving places. Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org.


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