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Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: A list of suburban events

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 20. Upcoming events, celebrations and services will pay tribute to the civil rights leader.

Ongoing

MLK Food Drive: In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the city of Elgin’s annual food drive, now in its 12th year, aims to collect 80 tons of food for local pantries. Canned goods and household items can be dropped off at the Gail Borden Library, Elgin police and fire stations, city hall, the Elgin YWCA, and most local churches through Jan. 20. While food donations are appreciated, cash donations are preferred. Every dollar collected can purchase about 8 pounds of food. Donations can be made at elginil.gov/1023/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Events. Tickets are sold out for the city’s 40th annual prayer breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Friday, Jan. 17

Documentary, discussion at MCC: 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in the McHenry County College Luecht Auditorium, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Join the college and McHenry County NOW for a special evening honoring Martin Luther King Jr. At 6 p.m., there will be a program led by Pastor Norval Brown, followed by a documentary screening on King’s impact on civil rights and social justice and then a discussion on King’s message in today’s world. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free; RSVP via eventbrite.com or mchenryconow.org.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium “Strength to Love”: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 18, in Barrows Auditorium in Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Hall, Room 105, 500 College Ave. in Wheaton. Hear powerful student voices, experience moving worship presentations, and be uplifted by the campus gospel choir while exploring the seven pillars that defined King's transformative leadership. This event is free. For information, contact Hunter Benson at (630) 997-2984 or Hunter.Benson@wheaton.edu.

Sunday, Jan. 19

MLK Day of Service Community Food & Household Essentials Drive: Before or after worship at 9 or 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, in the lobby or at the drive-through from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Volunteers available to help unload donations. All donations will go to local pantries. Donation ideas: Household items such as paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, which are not eligible for purchase with a Link card; baking mixes that only require water; canned goods with pop-top lids; olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and other spices; coffee; sugar and flour; or Velveeta macaroni and cheese. firstpresah.org/events/mlk-day-of-service-2/.

Chicago Sinfonietta MLK Tribute Concerts: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. This year, Maestra Mei-Ann Chen is dedicating the entire performance to Flutronix’s genre-defying musical composition, “Black Being,” which gives voice to the complexities of Black womanhood. It includes newly commissioned texts by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. Flutronix features flutists Nathalie Joachim and Allison Loggins-Hull, composers celebrated for their fusion of classical music, hip-hop, electronic programming, and soulful vocals. Tickets are $57-$67 at Wentz Hall or $27-$82 at Auditorium Theatre; $17 for students. chicagosinfonietta.org/january-2025-black-being/.

Flutronix, featuring flutists Nathalie Joachim, left, and Allison Loggins-Hull, will be featured at the Chicago Sinfonietta MLK Tribute Concerts on Jan. 19-20. Courtesy of Erin Patrice O’Brien

MLK Day Celebration: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave. in Downers Grove. United Methodists of the Northern Illinois Conference honor the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Rev. Danita R. Anderson, Northern Illinois Conference assistant to Bishop Dan Schwerin, speaking on “The Unfinished Agenda.” Rev. Schwerin, Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area bishop, will offer remarks. Several church choirs will perform. A free dinner will follow the program. Registration is requested via umcnic.org/calendar/nic-mlk-celebration-2025.

Monday, Jan. 20

FaithBridge’s annual MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: 7:30-9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, 800 S. Route 31. Keynote speaker Stella Jones on “Interpreting the Dream: In Our Time” and performance by Second Baptist Church Chorale Ensemble. Vegetarian breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and program at 8 a.m. Presentation of Judy Engebretson Humanitarian Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award. Tickets are $25 or $15 for youth, available via faithbridgeinterfaith.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast: 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Hoffman Estates village hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates. The event will include a keynote address, “The Search for the People’s King,” given by Tony Bradburn, as well as the Kingdom Impact Theater group, who will perform “Strollin’ Down MLK Street.” Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first-served basis until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, or until the event is full. To reserve a spot, call Hallie Karle at (847) 781-2606 or email Hallie.Karle@vohe.org. hoffmanestates.org.

“Love, Justice & Joy”: 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington St. in Naperville. This family-friendly special event, “Love, Justice & Joy: Stories and Serving in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” features a time of prayer and music honoring King’s call to justice and joy. At 9:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship center, make cards and picture frames for local homebound seniors, nursing home residents and children in foster care. Get “kindness rocks” for painting and sharing. Prayer-walk guides will be available for those who would like to take a mindful prayer walk in their neighborhood after the event. Visit oursaviours.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Ackerman Woods, 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. Join Glen Ellyn Park District in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a day of service. Start your morning with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and then lend a helping hand to improve the quality of natural areas by cutting and removing invasive brush. Gloves and tools will be provided, and volunteers younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. This event is free, but registration is required. Visit gepark.org/register.

Mr. V’s Day Off: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Join Mr. V. for a daylong musical sojourn, including a tribute to the legacy of Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement. The winter season will also be celebrated. For ages 4-10. $49 for 9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m.; $99 for the full day. gortoncenter.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Gayles Memorial Baptist Church, 730 Gillette Ave., Aurora. Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance’s annual event features dedicated prayer segments followed by a complimentary breakfast. Reservations are requested as space is limited. For reservations, contact Peggy Hicks at (630) 291-7681, (630) 849-5415 or email psuehicks@sbcglobal.net, or Pastor J.E. Burch at (815) 715-6465 or pastorburch@aol.com.

Dreamers' Breakfast Event: 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Holiday Inn Convention Center, 6161 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. event, with this year’s theme “Character is Power!” featuring breakfast, speakers, entertainment, and recognition of the 2025 Drum Major Awardees for their outstanding public service in Lake County. Free shuttle parking available to and from Gurnee Mills lot “E” (near Value City Furniture) once convention center parking spaces are full. For tickets ($50) or event details, visit conta.cc/3DwRDby. For questions, visit waukegantownship.com or contact Cheri Pierson-White at (847) 244-9242.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. Family-focused celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ongoing influence on the fight for civil rights. Enjoy hands-on engagements, musical performances, and opportunities to learn about how to become more civically engaged. Free. chicagohistory.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 20, at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Gather in the basement of the fellowship hall for a variety of projects, including making Linus Blankets, dog biscuits for a shelter, place mats for Meals on Wheels and sandwiches for The Night Ministry; packing kits for UMCOR; coloring a “Love Boldly” banner and more. fumcah.com.

MLK Day at the Volo Museum: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, children 12 and younger get free Platinum Passes to Volo Museum, Jurassic Gardens, and the Titanic Museum. volocars.com.

MLK Jr. Festival: Let's Dream Together: 10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. at Wayfarer Theaters, 1850 Second St., Highland Park. Includes music from a jazz trio, a free screening of “We Are The Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorial Fest” at 10:45 a.m., student presenters at 11:45 a.m. and more. Reserve a free ticket at wayfarertheaters.com.

MLK Day of Service: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in Elmhurst Public Library’s Kossmann Room, 125 S. Prospect Ave. Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by building community through service projects. The library will have hands-on activities for all ages and ability levels, focused around the theme of creating warmth. Service hours will be available for students. No registration required for this drop-in program. Learn more at elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.

Walk for Warmth 2025: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St., Evanston. A short program at 11 a.m., followed by a choice of a two-mile walk past the many faith communities that house Interfaith Action’s overnight shelter or an around-the-block walk. Free; donations appreciated. interfaithactionofevanston.org.

MLK National Day of Service Project Drop-In: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Make fleece tie blankets for Camden's Comfort Project, while supplies last. Free. ippl.info.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day program: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the lobby of Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Join the builders of “Awesome Black Creativity,” Dave Kaleta and Richard Dryden, who both appeared on “Lego Masters” in 2021. They will discuss the inspiration behind their artistry and their interactive Lego brick exhibit, which will be on display Jan. 15 to Feb. 27. In addition, they will explain the process of selecting the 26 figures that celebrate contemporary and historical Black creatives across disciplines such as contemporary dance, photography, music, film, culinary arts, activism, and more. Young people and their families are welcome to participate in the library’s brick-building workshop. Register at gailborden.info.

MLK Day Restoration: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County in improving the natural community by helping remove invasive species. Tools provided. Sign up via fpdcc.com/event/mlk-day-restoration-2/.

MLK Day Day of Service: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Hands-on projects led by local community organizations to serve the community. Nonperishable items can be donated to the Northfield Township Food Pantry. Free. glenviewpl.org.

Let's Talk: Remembering MLK: 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave., Skokie. Learn about the life and times of Martin Luther King Jr., the Chicago Freedom Movement and its ties to Skokie history, and important moments in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. $20-$25. skokieparks.org.

MLK Pizza & Potluck Event: 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, First United Methodist Church gym, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Join the church's Mission, Justice & Community Work Area for pizza, side dishes, dessert, a song or two and conversation. Bring a side dish or dessert if possible. Free. Register: tinyurl.com/bdz7ctnk.

Aurora’s 40th annual MLK Ceremony: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane, Aurora. Annual ceremony highlights the impact and influence of the iconic Civil Rights leader with the theme based on his final book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” Keynote speaker is professor and author Michael Eric Dyson. There will be a special tribute to the ceremony’s founders, Scheketa Hart-Burns and Fred Rodgers, who both passed away in 2023. Also, remarks by dignitaries, youth and adult performances, and award presentations. Donna J. Williams MLK Service Awards will go to community leaders such as mail carrier Jaylen Lockhart, who came to the aid of a senior citizen after he fell; Aurora City Hall staffer Brian Moreno, who stepped in when a gunman entered a warming center and later performed CPR on a senior citizen at a community meeting; and the former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who founded the Jesse White Tumblers more than 65 years ago. Service Above Self MLK Youth Awards will go to 25 Aurora youth in middle school through college who are giving back to their school and community through selfless service. Free, but registration is required at aurora-il.org/MLK2025.

Michael Eric Dyson will be the keynote speaker at Aurora’s 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Faith and Action Forum: National Day of Racial Healing: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Bethel New Life Church, 1771 S. Weisbrook Road, Wheaton. Panelists explore needs related to racial healing, possible action steps, and how the faith community can be involved. Panelists include: Byran Stewart, president of The Stewart Group and former Maywood village treasurer; Simeon Henderson, actor, producer, and director; Jhovanny Jimenez, educator and recent new arrival from Venezuela; Kymberlie Mills, Ph.D. student in forensic psychology and advocate for marginalized individuals; Imelda Salazar, community organizer, Southwest Organizing Project; and Cortez Watson Jr., director of innovative initiatives and evaluation, The Black Star Project. Moderator will be Kenneth Phelps, president of Progressive Baptist State Convention of Illinois and pastor at Concord M.B. Church, Chicago. Co-sponsors: Progressive Baptist State Convention of Illinois, Concord Community Organization, and The Black Star Project. Free. Register: bnlcwheaton.org.

Saturday, Jan. 25

MLK Unity Brunch: 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook. Alliance for Civic Engagement hosts its annual celebration with speakers, performances, award presentations, recognition of community members, networking, and brunch. Participants include CNN correspondent Bakari Sellers (keynote speaker), Chicago Fox 32 News anchor Darlene Hill, and Chicago WVON Radio host Atiba Buchanan (emcees), and a performance from the dance group Praize Productions. From 1-4 p.m., enjoy an After Brunch Social Event featuring a performance from hip-hop artist Chubb Rock, along with comedy by Ralphie Roberts, and the sounds provided by DJ Ray Jones, as well as appetizers, a cash bar, and networking. Event proceeds will enable ACE to fund scholarships opportunities for students and to expand its mission of fostering community engagement and civic involvement through public forums, strategic planning sessions, voter registration, and educational programs. Cost for Brunch and After Brunch is $125; After Brunch only is $40 via facebook.com/ACEBolingbrook/.

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