CBA Record March-April 2025

Enjoy An Evening of Chicago’s Best at Lawyers in the Classroom Benefit By Tiffani M. Watson, M.Ed., Managing Director, Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom Program

T he Young Lawyers Section will host its signature celebra tion and fundraiser on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to benefit the Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom program. The event, “A Four-Star Night,” references the four stars on the City of Chicago flag and will celebrate the best Chicago has to offer. Most importantly, the evening will highlight the program’s impact while raising crucial funds to expand its reach. For more than 40 years, the program has provided invaluable civic and constitutional education to students in 60 elementary and middle schools across Chicagoland. Through interactive les sons led by attorney volunteers, students gain a deeper under standing of their rights, responsibilities, and the legal system, equipping them to become informed and engaged citizens. With more than 600 attorney volunteers and nearly 100 teachers reaching over 5,000 students annually, the program fos ters critical thinking, collaborative decision-making, and prob lem-solving skills through engaging discussions and real-life legal scenarios. By evaluating multiple perspectives and understanding the real-world implications of laws, students also build the foun dation for future civic leadership. The fundraiser will celebrate the vital role the program plays

in civic education and raise funds to help it reach even more students across Chicago. In recognition of the program’s impact locally, the event will showcase the best Chicago has to offer across all neighborhoods, with music, food, and silent auction prizes from local Chicago favorites. “All proceeds raised from this celebration will help Lawyers in the Classroom continue its vital mission of helping Chica goland students understand our Constitution and our nation’s legal system, empower them to know their rights and responsi bilities as citizens, raise awareness of racial injustice, and inspire them to become active leaders in their schools and communities. This education is more important than ever as attacks on civil liberties become more pronounced,” said YLS Chair Kenneth Matuszewski. Any support, big or small, matters when it comes to support ing this mission. Since transitioning to the CBA’s 501(c)(3) arm in 2019, LIC raises a significant percentage of its operating budget from this fundraiser, which has enabled the organization to grow and spread to so many schools in such a short period of time. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this incredible initiative and its lasting impact on Chicago’s future leaders.

Actuarial Pension Valuations • All Illinois Public Retirement Plans • Private Plans • Military and Federal (CSRS/FERS) • Non-Qualified Plans • Survivor Benefits • QILDRO Income Stream Estimates

John C. Madden (925) 258-7100

www.msmqdros.com info@msmqdros.com

16 March/April 2025