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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Jerry Roper: A Legacy to Be Proud of

On June 29, we lost one of the most devoted champions – for business, for entrepreneurs, for tourism, for economic development – the City of Chicago has ever known. Jerry Roper served as President & CEO of the Chamber for 20 years, and as the head of the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau (now known as Choose Chicago) before that. His life’s work was ensuring a bright economic future for our city.

At the Chamber, we like to talk about our legacy of leadership. Jerry Roper was instrumental in defining that legacy. From his integral role in the elimination of the city ‘head tax’ in 2011 to the launch of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center 15 years ago, Jerry led the charge on behalf of Chicago and its businesses with passion and optimism at all times.

Whether you were the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or an intern in your first week at the Chamber, Jerry sought your input and treated you with kindness and respect. That’s a legacy we’re proud to carry on at the Chamber.

Click on the links below to read more about Jerry’s life and accomplishments in the media coverage from the past couple of weeks:

Chicago Sun-Times | Click Here
Chicago Tribune | Click Here
Crain's Chicago Business | Click Here
Chicago Tonight | Click Here
WGN Radio (audio) | Click Here
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Statement | Click Here
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Statement | Click Here

If you would like to make a contribution to the Gerald J. Roper Memorial Fund, which benefits the Gerald J Roper Gateway – Kennedy Expressway – Chicago Gateway Green or the Northshore Program in Personalized Medicine in Prostate Cancer, please visit www.geraldjropermemorialfund.com.

Sincerely,

Theresa E. Mintle
President & CEO
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Hit the Links with Us on Aug. 17 at Ridgemoor Country Club

Get three of your colleagues or partners together and join us on the beautiful, newly renovated grounds of Ridgemoor Country Club for our Annual Golf Outing on Monday, August 17. Following a day of golf and networking, we’ll host an Awards Reception complete with a buffet dinner, drinks, prizes and awards.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event.

Click here for more information or to register.

The Wabash Lights: A Kickstarter to Revitalize Wabash Ave.

Backed by the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Department of Transportation, and City Government, The Wabash Lights is an interactive light installation on the underside of the elevated train tracks on Wabash Avenue in the heart of Chicago’s Loop.

Designed by the public, this first of its kind piece of public art will give The Wabash Lights’ website and future app visitors the ability to log in and design the lights, making it entirely interactive.

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