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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250710T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250710T200000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20250708T191538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T191541Z
UID:23776-1752168600-1752177600@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:Making it in Chicago
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening with the Illinois Answers Project and the National Public Housing Museum exploring barriers to economic opportunity in Illinois and Chicago. \n\n\n\nAt the center of the event are storytelling sessions featuring: \n\n\n\n\nAlex Nitkin (Illinois Answers Investigative reporter) in conversation with Marisa Novara\, Vice President of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust \n\n\n\nMeredith Newman (Illinois Answers State Investigative reporter) in conversation with Kimberly Bianchini\, owner at Advance Preschool\n\n\n\nJim Daley (South Side Weekly Investigations Editor) in conversation with Bryan Ramson\, physicist\, block club captain and police district councilor\n\n\n\nClaire Murphy (Illinois Answers fellow) in conversation with Kristen Faust\, Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority about their SmartBuy program\n\n\n\n\nEnjoy: \n\n\n\nOpen museum hours at the National Public Housing Museum \n\n\n\nDrinks and bites with fellow community members \n\n\n\nA gallery talk with Making it in Chicago photographer Akilah Townsend and illustrator Cori Lin
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/making-it-in-chicago-2/
LOCATION:National Public Housing Museum\, 919 S Ada St\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60607\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250918T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250918T160000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20250820T152912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T164520Z
UID:24066-1758187800-1758211200@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:Investigate the State
DESCRIPTION:VIEW THE PROGRAM HERE\n\n\n\n\nThinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronting challenges in the industry? Or how they’re pursuing resource-heavy investigations while managing a busy news cycle?  \n\n\n\nExplore challenges and opportunities in pursuing investigations in the Midwest with news leaders\, including… \n\n\n\n\nInvestigate Midwest\n\n\n\nBelleville News Democrat\n\n\n\nICT (formerly Indian Country Today)\n\n\n\nThe Northern Star\n\n\n\nMedill State of Local News\n\n\n\nProPublica\n\n\n\nand more!\n\n\n\n\nShare ideas for investigations in your coverage area and build partnerships with other Midwest and Illinois news organizations. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/investigate-the-state/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T190000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20250908T182335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T145246Z
UID:24191-1760032800-1760036400@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:Investigating the Future of Quantum in South Chicago
DESCRIPTION:What if a new generation of computers\, faster and smarter than the ones we have now\, can power the local economy in South Chicago? That’s the $500 million bet that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is putting on the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park\, one of the biggest and most ambitious tech hubs planned for an industry that’s still mostly in its research and development phase. The South Chicago community has been waiting for decades for something to replace the Steel Mill that once employed tens of thousands of people and has been abandoned since 1992. Developers have come and gone\, going as far as purchasing the land\, but plans to convert the property into businesses and housing never materialized. \n\n\n\nThe Illinois Answers Project\, The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and Block Club Chicago presents an evening of conversations about inclusive economic growth\, the promise of quantum computing and community hopes and worries about these major changes. We will be talking to experts to find out more about some of the key questions surrounding the development. What do quantum computers do today and what is the hope for this technology in the future? What does inclusive economic growth and development look like? What will be the impact of construction and operations on the environment?  \n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nDate and Time: October 9th\, 6 pm \n\n\n\nLocation: South Shore Branch\, Chicago Public Library\, 2505 E 73rd St\, Chicago\, IL 60649 \n\n\n\nSchedule:5:30 pm – Doors Open6:00 – 7:00 pm – Expert Conversations and Q&A \n\n\n\nWe are dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for everyone. Please respect diversity in individuals and in cultures. \n\n\n\nFeatured Guests\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator: Binghui Huang\n\n\n\nCredit: mike rivera photo 2022\n\n\n\nBinghui Huang is an investigative reporter covering economic and equity issues in Chicago. She previously covered health and business at the Indianapolis Star. With more than a decade in local news\, she has uncovered dangerous carcinogenic pollution by a medical device maker\, investigated worker abuses in RV factories and revealed shoddy work by workplace safety inspectors due to decades of underfunding and cuts to the department. Her reporting has prompted changes in business practices\, legislative reform and increased funding to critical programs. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator: Maxwell Evans\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaxwell covers Hyde Park\, Woodlawn\, South Shore and the Southeast Side for Block Club Chicago\, where he writes about everything from housing and environmental justice to arts and new businesses. He is a South Shore resident who hails from Kalamazoo\, Michigan\, and loves D’Angelo\, shish kofta and the Toronto Raptors. 
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/investigating-the-future-of-quantum-in-south-chicago/
LOCATION: South Shore Branch\, Chicago Public Library\, 2505 E 73rd St\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60649\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://illinoisanswers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quantum-QuNight-1080-x-1080-px-2.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251010T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251010T133000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20250701T192306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T210130Z
UID:23786-1760095800-1760103000@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:BGA Annual Luncheon & Celebration
DESCRIPTION:This year’s Annual Luncheon celebrates the Better Government Association’s 100+ year record of advancing a more transparent\, equitable and accountable government for all the people of Illinois through investigative journalism\, policy advocacy and community engagement that hold power to account and drive meaningful reform. \n\n\n\n2025 Annual Luncheon & CelebrationFriday\, October 10\, 2025  | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM  \n\n\n\nFour Seasons Hotel Chicago | 120 East Delaware PlaceBusiness Attire \n\n\n\nCo-Chairs: John A. Canning\, Jr.\, D. Carroll Joynes\, Michael J. Sacks and Heather A. Steans \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe are proud to honor the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation with this year’s Watchdog Award\, accepted by Executive Director Anne Lazar. Through the legacy of its founder\, Richard Driehaus\, and under the leadership of Anne Lazar\, the Foundation has been a driving force in strengthening investigative journalism to advance government transparency and accountability. It has more than doubled the number of investigative reporting grantees and increased giving for investigative journalism six-fold\, expanding critical support for newsrooms across Chicago and Illinois. This deepened commitment ensures journalists have the resources to expose urgent issues\, hold power accountable and empower communities. By significantly investing in independent investigative journalism\, the Foundation has reinforced its essential role in fostering a more just and engaged society. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBGA President & CEO David Greising will be joined in conversation with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel. Their discussion will draw on Ambassador Emanuel’s local and national leadership experiences\, his legacy and lessons as Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama and the role of local and international diplomacy in exploring pressing policy and civic issues. \n\n\n\nPlease stay tuned for more information! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more and Register Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about sponsorship opportunities here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur Sponsors\n\n\n\n(As of September 15\, 2025) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n+ Indicates supporters who have generously aligned their investment with both BGA Signature Events: Beyond the Byline + Investigative Awards and the Annual Luncheon.
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/bga-annual-luncheon-celebration/
LOCATION:Four Seasons Hotel Chicago\, 120 East Delaware Place\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60611\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20251031T193146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T195243Z
UID:24497-1764696600-1764707400@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:How Journalism Connects Systems\, Power and People
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a conversation with Illinois Answers reporters as they share what they’ve uncovered investigating economic opportunity\, government finance\, public safety\, childcare and the needs of the most vulnerable. \n\n\n\nTogether\, they reveal how inequities and accountability failures overlap across systems — and how journalism can bridge people\, policy\, and power to create a more accountable Chicago and a fairer Illinois. \n\n\n\n\n5:30 – 6:00 PM: Check-In + Happy Hour\n\n\n\n6:00 – 7:30 PM: Panel Discussion + Q&A\n\n\n\n7:30 – 8:30 PM: Light Bites + Open Bar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us! Tickets are a $20 donation each. Please RSVP by Dec. 1 by registering here. Space is limited. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nBe a part of this crucial dialogue with changemakers redefining local journalism and its impact on Chicago’s future. Light bites and drinks will be served. \n\n\n\nAs a thank you\, community and news partners\, and BGA supporters who donate $250 or more annually will receive complimentary tickets. Please contact us at YourImpact@bettergov.org for more information.
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/how-journalism-connects-systems-power-and-people/
LOCATION:Experimental Station\, 6100 S Blackstone\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60629\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://illinoisanswers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ink-Impact-logo-image.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260310T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260310T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20251215T183034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T135142Z
UID:24818-1773163800-1773174600@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:Women Who Hold Power to Account
DESCRIPTION:Join the Better Government Association for Women Who Hold Power to Account\, an evening conversation honoring Women’s History Month and spotlighting women who exemplify accountability and integrity across Chicago’s civic landscape. From the courtroom to City Hall\, the newsroom\, and the boardroom\, these leaders advance transparency and trust—core to the BGA’s mission of strengthening democracy and holding power to account. \n\n\n\nThe Better Government Association challenges unchecked power and strengthens accountability\, transparency\, and equity for all people of Illinois through the Illinois Answers Project newsroom’s investigative and solutions-focused journalism\, BGA Policy’s advocacy for action and reform\, and a shared commitment to community empowerment. This program reflects BGA’s unique ability to convene voices from journalism\, government\, law\, and civic life to explore how accountability works—and why it matters.We hope you will join us for this unforgettable evening. Tickets are available now for a $75 donation per person. As a thank you\, BGA supporters who donate $500 or more annually will receive complimentary tickets. \n\n\n\n\nClick here to secure your tickets\n\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\nRuby Bailey — Editor-in-Chief\, Illinois Answers Project\n\n\n\nJane Ruby — President\, League of Women Voters of Chicago\n\n\n\nJill Wine-Banks — MSNBC Legal Analyst\, Watergate Prosecutor\, and BGA Board Member\n\n\n\nDeborah Witzburg — Inspector General\, City of Chicago\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nSophia Van Pelt — Senior Policy Analyst\, BGA Policy\n\n\n\n\nProgram\n\n\n\n5:30: Check-In + Happy Hour6:15 PM: Panel Discussion + Q&A7:30 – 8:30 PM: Light Bites + Drinks
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/women-who-hold-power-to-account/
LOCATION:Ivy Room\, 2 E Ohio St # 100\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60611\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T090145
CREATED:20251215T185445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T195303Z
UID:24830-1778167800-1778185800@illinoisanswers.org
SUMMARY:Beyond the Byline and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting
DESCRIPTION:Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday\, May 7\, from 3:30–8:30 p.m. at Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago. \n\n\n\nThe event will feature a community-centered storytelling panel elevating the sources\, experts and lived experiences that informed Illinois Answers Project investigations; an engaging conversation with Errin Haines\, editor-at-large at The 19th; the presentation of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting; and a reception. \n\n\n\nNow in their 22nd year\, the Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting recognize the essential role investigative journalism plays in strengthening democracy in Illinois. Judged by a panel of journalists and media educators\, the awards were established by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation\, inspired by the late Richard Driehaus’ deep belief in the power of journalism and his longstanding partnership with the Better Government Association. \n\n\n\nWe hope you’ll join us for this unforgettable evening. Tickets are available now for a $50 donation per person. As a thank you\, community and news partners—and BGA supporters who donate $1\,000 or more annually—will receive complimentary tickets. \n\n\n\n\nClick here to secure your tickets.\n\n\n\n\nProgram\n\n\n\n3:00 – 3:30 PM: Registration \n\n\n\n3:30 – 4:30 PM: Panel  \n\n\n\n4:30 – 5:00 PM: Break \n\n\n\n5:00 – 6:45 PM: Featured Guest Conversation + the Driehaus Foundation Awards \n\n\n\n6:45 – 8:00 PM: Happy Hour + Closing Reception \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSpecial Guest\n\n\n\nErrin Haines is an award-winning journalist and a leading voice at the intersection of race\, politics\, and gender in America.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShe is the editor-at-large and a founding mother of The 19th\, an independent nonprofit newsroom that aims to elevate the voices of women\, people of color\, and the LGBTQ+ community in American journalism and democracy\, and an MSNBC political contributor. Haines is also the 24th president of the National Association of Black Journalists\, the oldest and largest advocacy organization for journalists of color.  \n\n\n\nPrior to joining The 19th\, Haines worked at The Associated Press\, the Washington Post\, the Orlando Sentinel\, the Los Angeles Times and the Atlanta Daily World. Her work has been featured in publications including TIME\, POLITICO\, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Haines’ coverage spans the White House\, Congress\, campaigns\, and grassroots movements—with a sharp focus on how policy impacts Black women and marginalized communities. \n\n\n\nHaines’ expertise on issues of race\, gender and politics make her a sought-after thought leader in her industry. She has served as a leader\, mentor\, and advocate for newsroom equity throughout her career. Haines was a visiting professor at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Princeton University\, teaching classes on Black women and democracy.  \n\n\n\nHaines is currently writing a book on Black political leadership in Atlanta and the legacy of the city’s Black mayors. Whether in print\, on air\, or on stage\, she is known for telling the truth with empathy\, urgency\, and unmatched clarity.
URL:https://illinoisanswers.org/event/beyond-the-byline-and-the-richard-h-driehaus-foundation-awards-for-investigative-reporting/
LOCATION:Venue SIX10\, 610 S Michigan Ave\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60605\, United States
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