March of Dimes to Benefit from Summer Concert Series featuring Tim McGraw

The March of Dimes Illinois Chapter has been selected as the proud beneficiary of "Concerts for A Cause" featuring country music icon Tim McGraw July 6 at Illinois Valley Airport, 90 minutes from Chicago.

The host of the concert is Lou's LaGrotto restaurant based in Peru, Ill., which operates Concerts for A Cause, a musical experience in downstate Illinois. Concerts for A Cause has featured artists such as Willie Nelson , Kid Rock, and Zac Brown Band to name a few. The outdoor concert has always donated a portion of the proceeds to a charity.

In honor of the March of Dimes' 75th Anniversary, Lou's LaGrotto has selected the volunteer health organization as its beneficiary of the July 6th concert. Restaurant owners were inspired by resident Brandy Reilly , a longtime March of Dimes supporter whose son was born premature at 31 weeks gestation.

Son Logan was born at 1 pound, 7 ounces and spent the first weeks of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Like many preemies, Logan's lungs were not fully developed. He was given the drug surfactant, to help coat his lungs to help him breathe, a drug discovered by March of Dimes-funded researchers. For the past 75 years, March of Dimes has fought to see the day all babies are born healthy through its support of research, education, community support and advocacy efforts.

Lou's LaGrotto's Concerts for A Cause featuring Tim McGraw expects to draw thousands of people from all over the state and the Midwest during Independence Day weekend. Tickets are available in-person at Lou's LaGrotto restaurant, 3001 5th St.,Peru, or at the March of Dimes Heartland Division office, 425 First St., LaSalle, for $60. Tickets are also $66 online at louslagrotto.com and $64 by phone at: 815-223-3083.

Tim McGraw is a multi-Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, American Music Award, and Country Music Award winning artist and actor.

The opening act is Love and Theft.