Pat Quinn News

Pat Quinn, the Governor of Illinois, has proclaimed that October 11th will now be known as “Smokey the Dog Day” in the state. Last week, Smokey, a Labrador/Retriever mix based out of Station 2 in Jacksonville, Illinois, was named winner of the NBC “Chicago Fire” Top Dog Competition. Smokey will appear on NBC's “Chicago Fire” in a cameo role during an episode later this season.

NEW YORK, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ Regardless of their political affiliations, Governors and Governors' Spouses across the country agree that literacy is critical to success. To help children avoid the 'summer slide'the learning loss that can occur when school is out for the summer44 leaders have signed on as 'Reading Ambassadors' of the 7 th annual Scholastic Summer Challenge, a free program dedicated to keeping kids motivated to read every day all summer. Each of the Reading Ambassadors has pledged to reinforce the importance of summer reading in his or her state, and the majority have committed to hold summer reading events at a local school or library. In support of their participation, Scholastic (SCHL), the global children's publishing, education, and media company, will donate 500 books to the school of each Reading Ambassador's choice.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois State Legislature have received the distinguished 2013 STAR OF TOURING BROADWAY AWARD at the annual Broadway League Awards today, May 15,2013, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway.

The annual Broadway League Awards, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway, were announced today during the Broadway League's 2013 Spring Road Conference. First presented in 1992, the Broadway League Awards recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exemplary service to the Broadway industry and are considered innovators of their craft.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation will honor President Bill Clinton, the 42 nd President of the United States, with the prestigious 2013 Lincoln Leadership Prize, an annual prize recognizing a lifetime of service in the spirit of 16 th President Abraham Lincoln. More than 600 civic, philanthropic and business leaders will gather at a special event this evening to celebrate President Clinton and his accomplishments.

As UWM celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Peck School of the Arts and the Year of the Arts, two Peck School alumni have been selected as the UWM Foundation Alumni Fellows for 2013.

The final chapter in the HMX Group Bankruptcy story has been revealed. Yesterday, Authentic Brands Group, LLC finalized the acquisition of the HMX Group, which includes the New York based Hickey Freeman and Illinois based Hart Schaffner Marx brands. Hickey Freeman and Hart Schaffner Marx have long been manufactured in the United States by Workers United members and have become synonymous with producing high quality, hand-tailored menswear.

Almost Home Kids, an organization devoted to transitional care for children with complicated health needs, will host the grand opening of its new care facility in the Ronald McDonald House building in Chicago today, Sept.17, 2012.

Almost Home Kids, an organization devoted to transitional care for children with complicated health needs, will host the grand opening of its new care facility in the Ronald McDonald House building in Chicago on Monday, Sept.17, 2012.

For this all-new triple bill of three Eric Carle favorites, Chicago Children's Theatre and Open Books are co-sponsoring a Brown Bear, Brown Bear Book Drive, and encouraging families to bring new or used early childhood reading books with them to the theater to donate to Chicago area kids in need.

Today, May 2, Merit School of Music will host its "Merit Makes Music Happen" Gala 2012, a cocktail-attire affair at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Pl. in Chicago, to generate proceeds to directly benefit students enrolling in the 2012-2013 program year. Merit's annual Gala is its largest fundraiser, and its generous donors helped provide $2.5million in financial support given last year.

Now in its eighth season, Millennium Park will host free concerts, events, exhibitions and open rehearsals that showcase the very best of Chicago throughout the summer.

On May 2, Merit School of Music will host its "Merit Makes Music Happen" Gala 2012, a cocktail-attire affair at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Pl. in Chicago, to generate proceeds to directly benefit students enrolling in the 2012-2013 program year. Merit's annual Gala is its largest fundraiser, and its generous donors helped provide $2.5million in financial support given last year.

Hundreds of lunchtime diners in downtown Chicago were treated to a surprise performance 12:30-1 p.m. today by soprano Renée Fleming, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a Lyric Opera of Chicago pianist, and 100 high-school chorus members from Lake View High School, Chicago High School for the Arts, and Merit School of Music.

The Live Theatre Production Tax Credit has been passed by both the Illinois House and Senate. Statement by Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago, provided below.

The Black Ensemble Theater will make history when it opens the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center at 4450 N. Clark Street on Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m.

The Legacy Project will be hosting a luncheon at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton on October 25th to commemorate GLBT History Month and launch the one-year drive to the permanent exhibit's installation which will take place on October 11, 2012, 'National Coming-Out Day.'

The Black Ensemble Theater will make history when it opens the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center at 4450 N. Clark Street on Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m.

The Legacy Project will be hosting a luncheon at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton on October 25th to commemorate GLBT History Month and launch the one-year drive to the permanent exhibit's installation which will take place on October 11, 2012, 'National Coming-Out Day.'

Chicago's acclaimed Black Ensemble Theater, led by Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor, will host Thirty-Five Fabulous Years - A Legendary Celebration, to honor the historical thirty-five year legacy of the theater and the upcoming Grand Opening of the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center.