WHEN

Thursday, May 1st

06:00 PM

About The Event

Join us for Bank The Blue’s 5-Year Anniversary Celebration, an evening dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of officer wellness, breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement, and providing critical funding for mental health treatment for Illinois officers.

This year’s celebration will feature an extraordinary culinary experience, with 10 of Chicago’s top restaurants serving their signature dishes, powered by Whittingham Meats. Guests will enjoy an exceptional selection of cuisine prepared by some of the city’s finest chefs.

The event will include live entertainment from a DJ, a 50/50 Split the Pot, and a silent auction featuring a curated selection of exclusive items.
Valet parking will be available.

All proceeds from this event will directly fund essential and confidential mental health treatment and training programs for Illinois law enforcement officers.
On behalf of Bank The Blue, we sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating with you!

Bank The Blue, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides funding and access for mental health services for Illinois law enforcement officers dealing with multiple psychosocial stressors both on and off the job. According to mental health experts, the rate for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among police officers is five times higher than that of the civilian population and often goes untreated. Local departments alone are unable to provide the mental health wellness services that their officers so desperately need. Bank The Blue was launched in March 2020 by a group of Chicago business professionals with close ties to the law enforcement community. Bank The Blue is governed by a diverse and distinguished board of law enforcement, business and community leaders.

Event Program

6:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

7:00 PM

Chicago Police Honor Guard, Chicago Police Pipes & Drums

7:15 PM

National Anthem sung by Wayne Messmer

7:30 PM

Welcome address by Masters of Ceremonies

8:00 PM

Dinner is served!

8:30 PM

Introduction to Bank The Blue and Founders, honorable mention of Presenting Sponsors

9:30 PM

Dancing begins!

Keynote Speaker

Kristen Ziman
Former Police Chief of the Aurora IL Police Department (Ret.)
Speaker | Author | Leader | Change Agent

Kristen is the former Police Chief of the Aurora IL Police Department (Ret.). In Kristen’s 30-year career in law enforcement, she blazed trails: she became the first woman Lieutenant in 2008, first woman Commander in 2010, and eventually the first woman Chief in her department’s history in January of 2016. Kristen was also the Chief on watch during a mass shooting in her hometown Aurora, IL.

Since retiring from the department, Kristen has now stepped into her new career as a professional speaker and consultant for organizations and police departments focused on the areas of leadership, women empowerment, positive psychology, and mass shooting prevention. Kristen is also the author of Reimagining Blue: Thoughts on Life, Leadership, and a New Way Forward in Policing, a passionate and personal memoir of a misunderstood profession through the vantage point of a female police chief.

WINGS

One of the largest domestic violence service and housing providers in the state of Illinois, WINGS provides a pathway to independence for adults and children who are escaping from domestic violence and abuse. The mission of WINGS is to provide housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to end domestic violence.

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers enable us to continue providing needed support services to local law enforcement officers. Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting Bank The Blue’s mission. Volunteers help make our fundraising events a huge success!

Hotel Accomodations

The Westin Chicago Northwest
400 Park Blvd., Itasca, IL, 60143
(888) 236-2427

Group Rate for Bank The Blue Gala
$139/night
Click here to book your room
Last Day to Book: October 6, 2022

The Westin shuttle is offering round-trip complimentary rides to and from the gala.
Please meet in the hotel lobby. Scheduled times listed below.

Shuttle drop-off times from Westin to Belvedere Banquet: 6:20PM and 6:30PM.
Shuttle pick-up times from Belvedere Banquet to Westin: 11:45PM and 12:00AM.
If you miss the shuttle to the gala, call the front desk at 630-773-4000 to reserve a ride.
If you miss the shuttle from the gala to the hotel you are responsible for your own transportation.

Complimentary On-Site Parking
Off-Site Parking: 500 Park Business Office (0.5 Miles)
Valet: $5/Daily

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Elk Grove Village/Itasca
1160 W Devon Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 985-0101

Ride Accomodations

Party Bus Pickup Locations

Tavern On The Point (northside)
6724 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL 60631
Pickup Time: 5:30PM SHARP!

Clancys Pizza Pub (southside)
4624 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Pickup Time: 5:00PM SHARP!

$30 per person (round-trip)

Book your personal ride here and Ride in Bliss will donate a percentage of your ride when you mention Bank The Blue.

Ride in Bliss suggested if planning to consume alcohol.

Venue

Theatre on the Lake
2401 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, United States