Sheila Simon to keynote MLK dinner in Hoffman Estates
Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon will headline next month's Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance and Celebration dinner held in Hoffman Estates marking the event's 10th anniversary.
Hosted by the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, the dinner honors the nonviolent legacy of the Rev. King and his fight for civil rights for African Americans and all Americans.
Civic and religious leaders from the suburbs, including Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod and Willow Creek Community Church founder Bill Hybels, gather annually to celebrate King's legacy. This year's event is Thursday Jan. 13 at the Chicago Marriott Northwest in Hoffman Estates, as the dinner is always hosted around the anniversary of King's birthday, which is Jan. 15. He was murdered on April 4, 1968 and would be 82 this coming January.
The theme of this year's event is: “Let's not forget to remember.”
Hoffman Estates' McLeod has made it a priority to attend the dinner over the years.
“It's just part of the nature of our community,” McLeod said. “We have people from all different religions, cultures, nationalities, countries.”
The commission is a nonprofit that offers programs to reduce racial bias and encourage diversity. The Rev. Clyde H. Brooks, president of the group, knew King. Although the third Monday of January is King Day, a federal holiday, Brooks said King did not want to be honored with school or bank closings and people relaxing. Brooks said King would prefer if people volunteered at places including senior citizens homes and hospitals.
“That's the best way we can celebrate and remember him,” Brooks said.
Rolling Meadows Mayor Ken Nelson will also attend the dinner and said it gives him time to mingle with people he doesn't see regularly.
“I think diversity is very important to the community,” Nelson said. “I don't make a big deal out of this, I just think it's just good to do.”
The first dinner was held in 1971 in Arlington Heights. They later moved to the event to Chicago, but 10 years ago, the commission decided to host two events, and adding one in the Northwest suburbs.
The focus for Chicago's dinner is raising money for education. With different demographics and levels of support, the focus for the suburban event is to bring together people of different backgrounds and share information, Brooks said.
“It's talking about his ideals from a practical sense,” Brooks said. “People may know in ‘X' year blacks couldn't sit in the front of the bus, but Dr. King also wanted us to look at life around us, not just in terms of black folks. For instance, wanted us to be caring about the elderly.”
Tickets are $55 and can be purchased at icdr.com/king_dinnerNW.html or by calling Brooks and the commission at (847) 253-7358.