"Light the Way Soiree" celebrates Trans Up Front Illinois, award-winners
CHICAGO — Two activists and a political group will be honored Saturday at the “Light the Way Soiree’ by Trans Up Front Illinois. The event is also a celebration of the nonprofit’s one-year anniversary. Tickets to the 7 p.m. event, which is happening at the Hairpin Arts Center in Chicago, are $100 and can be purchased here. Honorees include Channyn Lynne Parker, the first-ever Black transgender person to lead Equality Illinois, who will receive the Living Legend award; Leo Wilder of Springfield, founder of the Pride Learning Academy blog; and Indivisible Chicago, organizer of protests over the past 18 months.
Midwest Food Bank gets $550,000 for new equipment, food
MORTON — A semi-trailer for Sioux Falls, S.D.; forklift, refrigerated trailer and semi-tractor for Indiana; and 200,000 Tender mercies meals are among the equipment and resources coming to the Midwest Food Bank, courtesy of a $550,000 donation from the Church of Latter-Day Saints (WGLT). The church raised the money partly through the “Light the World Giving Machine” effort in Iowa, where people can choose donations from a red vending machine and donate directly to the charity of their choice. The Midwest Food Bank is a network of 2,400 food banks nationwide with Illinois locations in Morton, Peoria and Bloomington/Normal, plus nine other location worldwide. It celebrate the church’s donation at its Morton location.
La Shawn Ford triumphs over 12 in 7th Congressional District
A Congressional district representing downtown Chicago and two western suburbs will almost certainly be represented by State Rep. La Shawn Ford, who defeated 12 other Democratic primary opponents for Illinois’ 7th District (Chicago Sun-Times). Represented by Danny Davis for the past 30 years, the heavily Democratic district also includes Oak Park and Little Villa. Ford’s opponents included Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, and three Hispanic/Latino candidates. He’ll face Republican Chad Koppie in November. The seat is being vacated by Danny Davis, who represented the 7th Congressional District for 15 terms.
