FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2019
Media Contact:
Kaitlyn McAvoy
Communications Manager, Landmarks Illinois
312-922-1742
kmcavoy@landmarks.org
Landmarks Illinois Hosts 2019 Legendary Landmarks Celebration March 7 in Chicago, Names this year’s Legendary Landmark Honorees
CHICAGO – Landmarks Illinois, a membership-based nonprofit organization advocating for the preservation and reuse of historic and architecturally significant properties throughout the state, will host its 14th annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration the evening of Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Every year, the Landmarks Illinois Legendary Landmarks Celebration attracts nearly 800 LI supporters for an evening of festivities, networking and tributes to the annual civic and cultural leaders named as Legendary Landmarks. Since 2006, LI has honored more than 40 individuals, families and corporations at the annual event. This year, Landmarks Illinois will honor Wintrust and Murphy Development Group as 2019 Corporate Legendary Landmarks and dedicated civic leaders Judith & Raymond McCaskey as 2019 Legendary Landmarks.
“Landmarks Illinois carefully curates honorees named Legendary Landmarks based on the significance and longevity of the designee’s cultural, philanthropic and corporate contributions to Chicago and beyond,” said Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President & CEO. “Our 2019 Legendary Landmarks have personal and meaningful connections to historic preservation among their many stellar achievements, and we are proud to illuminate these individuals and corporations as Legendary Landmarks.”
Landmarks Illinois is also excited to welcome Special Guest Speaker Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth at the 2019 Legendary Landmarks Celebration. Rep. Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) was instrumental in passing the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit in 2018, cosponsoring the legislation that led to this new, statewide incentive and a critical component to Illinois’ economic development strategy.
More about Landmarks Illinois 2019 Legendary Landmarks Honorees
Wintrust, the second largest Illinois-based financial institution, remains true to its community banking origins. From employee and customer relationships to deep roots in neighborhoods and support of local causes, giving back is in its DNA. Accepting the award is President & CEO Edward J. Wehmer, who brought the bank to 231 S. LaSalle St. in 2014, restoring the historic Grand Banking Hall of this iconic Chicago building and making it available to partners for events
Judith and Raymond McCaskey are a retired educator and retired president and CEO of Health Care Service Corporation (parent company of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL), respectively. Dedicated civic leaders and philanthropists, they are involved with causes ranging from empowering Chicago youth to chairing the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. Together, they share a commitment to historic preservation.
Murphy Development Group is undertaking the visionary mixed-use redevelopment of Chicago’s iconic Old Cook County Hospital, a historic asset Landmarks Illinois advocated to save for nearly 20 years. The firm is also known for the successful rehabilitation and resue of the historic Chicago Motor Club. John T. Murphy, Chairman & CEO of MDG, will accept the honor on behalf of his company.
Learn more about the 2019 Legendary Landmarks Honorees at our website.
Additional Event Information
The Landmarks Illinois 2019 Legendary Landmarks Celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception in the Normandie Lounge of the Hilton Chicago. An awards program and dinner will take place at 7 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom and an after party featuring live music will follow at 8:30 p.m.
The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will be Tim Kazurinsky, a Chicago area-based actor and screenwriter who is perhaps best known as a featured player on Saturday Night Live (1981-1984).
The 2019 Legendary Landmarks Celebration Committee members are Joseph M. Antunovich, Erika Block, Shelley Gorson (Co-Chair), Mark Henning (LI Board Chairman), Frieda Ireland, Judi Male (Co-Chair), Sandra Rand, Kathleen Swien and Anne Voshel.
Event Reservations
Individual reservations for the celebration begin at $500 per person. Table reservations for 10 people are available at $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 levels. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and reservations at our website.
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.
Register for the 2019 LLC