On Aug. 18, The Legal Council for Health Justice presented its annual travel-themed fundraiser "Cuba Libre: Holiday in Havana." The event, which took place at Sidetrack, raised funds and awareness for the Council as well as its organizations, The Homeless Outreach Project and The Chicago Medical Legal Partnership for Children.
Now in its 15th year, this version of the event featured a Cuban theme with live music and dancing, a buffet dinner, a raffle and a silent auction.
With a multitude of sponsors, the small but dedicated Council assists clients who could never afford legal assistance. Historically, the Council has been the only agency in Illinois devoted exclusively to serving the legal needs of low-income or marginalized men, women and children living with HIV. The Council's staff serves clients and the community through individual advice and representation, training and outreach to clients, case managers, and service providers, individual and impact litigation, and administrative and legislative advocacy.
For the event, guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner provided by 90 Miles Cuban Cafe as well as ongoing music by the music group Angel d'Cuba. With co-hosts Kevin Mork and Tom Yates, the evening also included comments from CEO/Board President Mike Sullivan as well as the Council's oldest client, Leon Lieberman.
Among the items sold at auction were two tickets for the Chicago premiere of the hugely successful Broadway musical Hamilton, travel packages provided by Orbitz, and original art works by Matt Lew and M. Kurakin. Also offered were various gift packages courtesy of The Music Box Theatre, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Cubs, CPX Sports, The Chicago Opera Theater, Fontera Grill, The East Bank Club and The Chicago Shakespeare Company.
Sponsors of the event included Kirkland and Ellis LLP, Sidley and Austin LLP, Jenner and Block LLP, Kimpton Hotels, Sidetrack, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, Seyforth Shaw LLP, Reed Smith LLP, Toolbox, Mayer Brown LLP, MB Financial, Orbitz, Winston and Strawn LLP, and Katten, Muchen, and Rosenman LLP. Although final fundraising totals were not available by press time, Mork did comment, "The event was the most successful summer benefit in the Legal Council's history."