Equip for Equality

An Evening for Equality 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
5:30-9:00 p.m.
Chicago Renaissance Hotel
One West Wacker Drive

Co-Chairs Pamela Hansen of USG and Patrick Hughes of Inclusion Solutions, the Celebration Committee and the Board of Directors of Equip for Equality invite you to join us for our annual benefit, An Evening of Equality, on October 28, 2008. Please join us and many members of the community in celebrating the strides people with disabilities are making toward full inclusion, and help us honor those who are inspiring us for the work ahead.  And join leaders of Chicago’s legal community in celebrating the launch of Equip for Equality’s Equality for Kids Campaign to support the agency’s important work, especially that of the recently formed Special Education Clinic. 

Our featured speaker this year is best-selling author, Scott Turow, who will give us his perspective on people with disabilities in the justice system.

We invite all people who support our mission of advancing the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities. Our annual benefit provides us an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive society for people with disabilities, and honor individuals for their exceptional contribution to the disability community. It also provides us with much needed support for our important work.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Renaissance Chicago Hotel
One West Wacker Drive, Chicago
Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
5:30 pm - Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction
6:00 pm - Dinner and Program

Presenting….
2008 Dolly Hallstrom Award for Legislative Excellence
Equip for Equality’s own Marsha Koelliker

• Recognizing more than 18 years of excellence in educating legislators about the interests of Illinois citizens with disabilities  

2008 Advocacy Award
The Kent Family

• Honoring a family’s courage in confronting abuse and neglect in institutions

Launching. . . .

The Equality for Kids Campaign

• Chicago law firms and corporations step up to support Equip for Equality’s advocacy for children with disabilities 

Bid on exciting silent auction packages and enjoy jazz performed by The Scales of Justice, a Chicago Bar Association combo. 

Remarks By Scott Turow
Scott Turow is a prize-winning novelist as well as a partner with the law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.  The author of seven best-selling novels, his books have been translated into more than 25 languages, sold more than 25 million copies world-wide and have been adapted into one full length film and two television productions.  Mr. Turow will provide us his perspective on people with disabilities in the justice system.

Master of Ceremonies

Dave Savini is one of Chicago's great investigative journalists. In 1999, he uncovered and developed a five-part expose for WMAQ-TV on public schools that locked young students with disabilities in closets for "time out." The series, 'Kids in Confinement,' on which he extensively collaborated with Equip for Equality, led to legislative and regulatory action. Besides his work reporting on the plight of children with disabilities, Dave has uncovered corruption in the police department, and exposed medical negligence, government waste and child exploitation. His reports have resulted in legal reforms and policy changes within government agencies and local corporations.  In 2003, he won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for his series "Code Blue, Code Red," which investigated law enforcement officials and exposed 250 drunk driving offenders among Chicago police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Co-Chairs Pamela Hansen Co-Chair, An Evening for Equality USG Corporation Patrick H. Hughes, Jr. Co-Chair, An Evening for Equality Inclusion Solutions Henry Betts, M.D. Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Max G. Brittain, Jr, Esq.. Schiff Hardin LLP Mark Debofsky, Esq. Daley DeBofsky & Bryant Mark Doyle Everyone is Welcome Lori D. Ecker, Esq. Law Office of Lori D. Ecker PC John Grossbart, Esq. Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP Josephine Holzer H. Neil Juhn International Friends for the Developmentally Disabled Eric Schaal, Esq. USG Corporation, Retired Executive Todd Solomon, Esq. McDermott, Will & Emery, LLP Peter M. Starkman, Esq. Arnstein & Lehr Honorable Lawrence Suffredin, Jr. Cook County Commissioner Honorable Karen Tamley Commissioner Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Board of Directors Chairperson Doug Kenshol, Education Station and Champions Vice Chairperson J. Eric Schaal, Retired Executive, USG Corporation Treasurer Pamela A. Hansen, USG Corporation Secretary Gloria J. Nichols M. Fred Friedman John Grossbart, Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal LLP Patrick H. Hughes Jr., Inclusion Solutions Michael Park, Kirkland & Ellis LLP LIFETIME DIRECTOR The Honorable Virginia Fiester Frederick PRESIDENT AND CEO Zena Naiditch

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please contact Equip for Equality at 800.537.2632, 312.341.0022 x7330 or TTY 800.610.2779.

You may also make contributions online by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.