Residents
Maureen and Marc Schulman

Streeterville has always been important to Maureen and Marc Schulman:  From their first meeting at Eli’s the Place for Steak, the famous Chicago Avenue restaurant owned by Marc’s father, to their nuptials at the Ritz Carlton Chicago to raising their three daughters in this historic neighborhood, it is fitting and perhaps a bit serendipitous that the Eli M. Schulman Playground and Seneca Park, sit a stone’s throw away from all of these personal landmarks.  Maureen and Marc are the owners of The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, known for launching the Chicago style cheesecake created by restaurateur Eli Schulman.  What began as the signature dessert for his legendary steakhouse has grown into one of the country’s largest cheesecake and dessert bakeries, committed to making the best desserts on the planet and supporting countless not for profits throughout Chicago.

Maureen is the President of the Board of the Happiness Club, an organization which provides a free performing arts education to Chicago youth,  the co-author of “The Eli’s Cheesecake Cookbook: Remarkable Recipes from a Chicago Legend” and a former Board Member of the US Holocaust Memorial Council as an appointee of President Obama. Maureen is a graduate of the University of Miami and has her MJS from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Marc is the President of The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, serves as a Regent of the Lincoln Academy, is a Co-Chair of the Business Advisory Board for the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences is a former Chairman of the Magnificent Mile Association, was the Founding Chairman of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and currently serves as Chairman of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation. Marc is a graduate of the University of Denver and Northwestern Law School

Development
Curt Bailey, President of Related Midwest

Curt R. Bailey is President of Related Midwest in Chicago where he leads a team of talented construction, architectural, planning and design, development, and professional services experts who are transforming the way real estate and development are done in the Midwest—and setting an industry model for a more inclusive approach. With more than 25 years of senior real estate experience, Bailey is responsible for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of residential, mixed-use and master-planned properties, including iconic projects like One Bennett Park, The Row Fulton Market and 400 Lake Shore. Bailey was instrumental in the passage of Affordable Illinois, legislation that increases the amount of affordable housing by incentivizing developers to set aside 20% of new units for low-income residents.

Under Bailey’s leadership, Related Midwest is heading a transformational development at The 78, encompassing 62 acres in the heart of downtown Chicago to create Chicago’s next great neighborhood. Bailey is also spearheading 8080 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a 400-acre redevelopment that will house the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), anchored by what will be one of the largest quantum computing facilities in the world.

Related Midwest is an industry leader in community commitment and routinely sets the bar for measurable equity, diversity and inclusion standards on all of its projects. The company is deeply committed to improving neighborhoods, creating sustainable opportunities for small businesses and community residents, and building inspirational places and homes for all.

Bailey, named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 25 Most Influential Leaders, is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Civic Committee and Commercial Club of Chicago. He serves on the boards of After School Matters, World Business Chicago, Start Early, and Intersect Illinois. Bailey lives in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago with his wife and four daughters.

Government
Alderman Brian Hopkins

Alderman Brian Hopkins has represented Chicago’s 2nd Ward since 2015, being re-elected in 2019 and again in 2023. Now in his third term, he serves a diverse and dynamic ward that includes Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and parts of River North. After a decade in office, Alderman Hopkins has established a strong record of responsive leadership, forward-thinking policy, and a deep commitment to the communities he serves.

He has played a central role in advancing some of Chicago’s most significant development projects and has introduced impactful legislation, including the city’s first mural art registry, privacy protections for condominium residents, and collaborative public safety strategies that connect the Chicago Police Department with private and institutional security partners.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alderman Hopkins organized and hosted vaccination clinics that provided more than 7,000 residents with access to initial doses and booster shots, demonstrating his focus on public health and community care in times of crisis.

In 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety for the 2023–2027 term, a role that reflects both his experience and ongoing dedication to building safer neighborhoods through innovative, data-driven approaches.

Alderman Hopkins has also been a consistent advocate for fiscal responsibility. While supporting city budgets that align with core priorities, he remains entirely opposed to any property tax increase, a position he has maintained since being elected Alderman, underscoring his commitment to protecting residents from additional financial strain.

With a proven track record and a clear vision for Chicago’s future, Alderman Brian Hopkins continues to focus on building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant city for every resident of the 2nd Ward and beyond.

Healthcare
Dr. James G. Adams

James G. Adams, MD, FACEP is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine (NM), a 11-hospital health system.  As Senior Vice President, Dr. Adams’ responsibility includes oversight of medical and technical processes for patient care. Direct reports include executives who oversee GME and Research, as well as Chief Medical Officers of the hospitals and physician practice.  Dr. Adams is also Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. He is an active clinician and educator, overseeing a research program focused on health services research directed to improving healthcare delivery in the United States.  He was previously Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, Vice Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and a founding faculty member of the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine residency. Prior to that, he was Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and a Major in the United States Air Force.

The event also serves as a fundraiser for SOAR in support of its community programs that advocate for Streeterville residents, businesses, and guests. SOAR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your ticket is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.