The Humanitarian Awards Dinner is one of the largest fundraising events in the city of Chicago. This high-profile evening pays tribute to Holocaust Survivors as well as civic, community, and business leaders.
Distinguished keynote speakers enrich the evening and address an audience of over 2,000 with their personal experiences and poignant observations about our world, both past and present. This signature event is a moving evening that showcases the Museum and the role it plays in the Chicagoland community and beyond.
For more information, email dinner@ilhmec.org or call 847.967.4852.
2024 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
Featuring
Official Airline of the Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Past Events
2023 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Northern Trust, accepted by Michael O’Grady, Chairman & CEO
- Pete Kadens, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Survivor Legacy Award:
- Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago
Keynote:
- Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States
2022 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- United Airlines, accepted by Gerry Laderman, Executive VP & CFO
- The Duchossois Family, accepted by Kim Duchossois and Jessica Green
Survivor Legacy Award:
- Sam Harris, Holocaust Survivor and Museum President Emeritus
Keynote:
- George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
2021 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Exelon Corporation, accepted by Chris Crane, President & CEO
- Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank, Illinois
Survivor Legacy Award:
- Zev and Shifra Karkomi – Posthumously
Keynote:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Former NBA Star & Activist
2019 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Our cherished Holocaust Survivors
- John Ettelson, President & CEO, William Blair
Keynote Speaker:
- Former President Bill Clinton
2018 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Mitchell Feiger, President & CEO, MB Financial, Inc.
- Pamela L. Netzky, Founder & Former President, SkinnyPop Popcorn, now Amplify Snack Brands
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
- Robert R. McCormick Foundation, represented by President & CEO David D. Hiller
Keynote Speaker:
- The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair Prime Minister, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1997-2007)
2017 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ComPsych Corporation
- E. Scott Santi, Chairman and CEO, ITW
Keynote Speaker:
- Former First Lady Laura W. Bush (2001-2009)
2016 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Harvey L. Miller, Partner, Benida Group
- Terrence A. Duffy, Executive Chairman and President, CME Group
Keynote Speaker:
- Leon Panetta
2015 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Renee and Lester Crown
Keynote Speaker:
- Walter Isaacson
2014 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- John A. Canning, Jr., co-founder and Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners
- Thomas S. Ricketts, Chairman, Chicago Cubs and Incapital
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
- Richard S. Hirschhaut, Founding Executive Director, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Henry Kissinger
2013 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- William Brodsky, CEO, Chicago Board Options Exchange
- Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman, Johnson Publishing
Survivor’s Legacy Award:
- J.B. Pritzker, Managing Partner, The Pritzker Group
Keynote Speaker:
- Bob Woodward
2012 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Neil Bluhm, Walton Street Capital
- Don Thompson, McDonalds
- Rick Waddell, Northern Trust
Community Leadership Award:
- Michael J. Rubinstein
Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Robert Gates