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2024 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Tuesday, February 27 | 5:00 pm reception | 6:30 pm dinner & program

The Humanitarian Awards Dinner is one of the largest fundraising events in the city of Chicago. This high-profile evening pays tribute to Holocaust Survivors as well as civic, community, and business leaders.

Distinguished keynote speakers enrich the evening and address an audience of over 2,000 with their personal experiences and poignant observations about our world, both past and present. This signature event is a moving evening that showcases the Museum and the role it plays in the Chicagoland community and beyond.

For more information, email dinner@ilhmec.org or call 847.967.4852.

2024 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:

  • Michael and Juliet Gray
  • Wintrust

Featuring

  • Debra Messing, award winning actress, producer and human rights activist
  • And a special musical performance by acclaimed cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper 

Official Airline of the Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Past Events

2023 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Northern Trust, accepted by Michael O’Grady, Chairman & CEO
  • Pete Kadens, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Survivor Legacy Award:
  • Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago
Keynote:
  • Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States

2022 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • United Airlines, accepted by Gerry Laderman, Executive VP & CFO
  • The Duchossois Family, accepted by Kim Duchossois and Jessica Green
Survivor Legacy Award:
  • Sam Harris, Holocaust Survivor and Museum President Emeritus
Keynote:
  • George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States

2021 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Exelon Corporation, accepted by Chris Crane, President & CEO
  • Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank, Illinois
Survivor Legacy Award:
  • Zev and Shifra Karkomi – Posthumously
Keynote:
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Former NBA Star & Activist

2019 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Our cherished Holocaust Survivors
  • John Ettelson, President & CEO, William Blair
Keynote Speaker:
  • Former President Bill Clinton

2018 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Mitchell Feiger, President & CEO, MB Financial, Inc.
  • Pamela L. Netzky, Founder & Former President, SkinnyPop Popcorn, now Amplify Snack Brands 
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
  • Robert R. McCormick Foundation, represented by President & CEO David D. Hiller
Keynote Speaker:
  • The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair Prime Minister, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1997-2007)

2017 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ComPsych Corporation
  • E. Scott Santi, Chairman and CEO, ITW
Keynote Speaker:
  • Former First Lady Laura W. Bush (2001-2009)

2016 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Harvey L. Miller, Partner, Benida Group
  • Terrence A. Duffy, Executive Chairman and President, CME Group
Keynote Speaker:
  • Leon Panetta

2015 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Renee and Lester Crown
Keynote Speaker:
  • Walter Isaacson

2014 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • John A. Canning, Jr., co-founder and Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners
  • Thomas S. Ricketts, Chairman, Chicago Cubs and Incapital
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
  • Richard S. Hirschhaut, Founding Executive Director, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Keynote Speaker:
  • Dr. Henry Kissinger

2013 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • William Brodsky, CEO, Chicago Board Options Exchange
  • Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman, Johnson Publishing
Survivor’s Legacy Award:
  • J.B. Pritzker, Managing Partner, The Pritzker Group
Keynote Speaker:
  • Bob Woodward

2012 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

Honorees:
  • Neil Bluhm, Walton Street Capital
  • Don Thompson, McDonalds
  • Rick Waddell, Northern Trust
Community Leadership Award:
  • Michael J. Rubinstein
Keynote Speaker:
  • Dr. Robert Gates

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