By: Danny Collins, Development Associate
At IEC, there are three major events every year that bring into focus the collaboration and determination of Illinois’ environmental movement. They are: the first day of the Illinois legislative session, veto session, and our annual Environmental Leadership Dinner! Now that summer’s vibrant colors have faded into autumn hues and the leaves have started to fall, this can only mean one thing. Our Leadership Dinner is just around the corner.
An Experience for Everyone
At this year’s event, happening on Friday, October 4th at the Hilton Chicago, you’ll find items from fine dining and weekend stays, to unique homemade goods from some of our favorite legislators. Our team has tirelessly worked to curate fun and exclusive items for our silent auction to celebrate our environmental community’s work to build the most pro-environment legislature in the country. We invite you to take a look! We’ve done our best to find something for everyone.
However, there are a few items I am particularly excited about that I would like to highlight. Attendees of this event will be able to bid in person, but this auction is open to all! Anyone can bid for a chance to win these items online through 11:59pm on Saturday, October 5th. All of your bids help us to raise funds to support our critical work of safeguarding Illinois’ environment, so bid generously!
1) Green Radio Flyer Folding Cargo eBike + Shipping
Donated by: Radio Flyer | Value: $2,338 | Starting bid: $900 | Bid here
As an avid cyclist, I would love Radio Flyer’s folding cargo eBike for commuting to the office via Chicago’s lakefront trail. Featuring an easy-to-fold bike frame, this compact eBike is both easy to store at home and to take with you to explore one of Illinois’ many state parks. With the right bidding strategy, you can pair this eBike with JAQ Corp’s IEC cycling jersey collab.
2) Oval Office Ivy
Donated by: Brian Gill | Value: priceless | Starting bid: $150 | Bid here
This clipping of Swedish ivy is perhaps one of the most unique items in this auction. It was propagated from a parent plant gifted to John F. Kennedy in 1961 that still resides in the Oval Office today. This plant is sure to make for an interesting conversation piece at house parties. However, what’s most appealing to me is that you can keep propagating pieces to gift to friends and family. As of writing this, I hold the winning bid but I wouldn’t be surprised if I get outbid by the time this post goes up!
3) Bird Tour for 10 w/ Stephanie Beilke of Audubon Great Lakes & Tarik Shahzad of The Nature Conservancy
Donated by: Stephanie Beilke & Tarik Shahzad | Value: $600 | Starting bid: $200 | Bid here
I don’t know anything about birding, but this package has me feeling excited to learn! And who better to learn from than Stephanie Beilke and Tarik Shahzad? They’ve both been birding since childhood and now work in the field professionally. This is such a fun and unique experience that was put together by our staff with the generosity of Stephanie and Tarik.
4) Six Months of Compost Service with WasteNot!
Donated by: WasteNot Compost | Value: $145 | Starting bid: $50 | Bid here
I’ve been considering signing up for WasteNot’s composting services for the past year. We compost at the IEC office and now anytime I eat a banana at home I feel disappointed that I can’t easily compost the peel. I want to join my many neighbors who have WasteNot buckets outside their homes in their effort to reduce waste. Also… shout out to WasteNot for providing composting services for our Environmental Leadership Dinner!
5) RPM Seafood Sommelier Experience for 4
Donated by: Lettuce Entertain You | Value: $1,000 | Starting bid: $500 | Bid here
After Lettuce Entertain You donated this package for last year’s silent auction, I became curious about RPM Seafood so I took my partner for a special date night. Located on downtown Chicago’s riverfront, RPM Seafood provides an exquisite dining experience with refined dishes and cocktails and an ambiance that radiates elegance. This dinner for four at RPM’s highly sought-after sommelier station is the perfect way to impress your friends, family, or clients.
We’re Only Getting Stronger
We have been so honored to work with our environmental leadership award winners, and cannot wait to celebrate them with you on October 4! Click here to get your ticket to the 22nd Annual Environmental Leadership Dinner. Ticket sales close on Sept. 27! If you can’t make it, but still want to be part of the festivities, consider making a donation to ensure we have all the resources we need to build the strongest pro-environment legislature in the country! Click here to make a donation. We’re grateful for your continued support.
About the Author
Danny joined the Illinois Environmental Council in early 2023 as the Development Associate, where they develop, streamline, and maintain key fundraising practices. Danny is passionate about ensuring our dedicated community of supporters receive the highest-quality experience in their partnership with IEC.