Honoring Larry R. Rogers, Jr. (Power Rogers, LLP) with the Distinguished Award for Excellence

Friday, October 16, 2026 
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago | 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago 

You are cordially invited to join us for the 27th Annual Illinois Bar Foundation Gala honoring Larry R. Rogers, Jr. (Power Rogers, LLP). Mr. Rogers’ leadership in the Illinois legal and philanthropic communities coupled with his dedication to serving others through the practice of law have made him exceedingly worthy of the Foundation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Award for Excellence.

This year’s Gala will also mark the Illinois Bar Foundation’s 75th anniversary, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the long history and impact of the IBF as we look ahead to the next 75 years.

Pre-registration is required. Please scroll down for tickets and sponsorship opportunities. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jessie Reeves at 312-920-4681 or jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org. 

*A note for attendees: Our online form for purchasing tickets and sponsorships unfortunately does not allow for an option to enter additional info such as dietary restrictions, seating requests or disability accommodations.  Please reply to your confirmation email or contact Jessie Reeves, Director of Events at 312-920-4681 or jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org for any requests or questions!

ABOUT THE EVENT

Black tie.
Complimentary valet parking & coat check available.

Join us for a pre-dinner reception on the seventh and eighth floors of the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. VIP ticketholders are invited to join us starting at 6 pm with the remainder of our group joining at 6:30 pm.

Full seated dinner and program to follow reception, with live & silent auctions, dancing, cocktails and remarks by our distinguished honoree, Larry R. Rogers, Jr.

VALET & PARKING

Valet parking and rideshare drop off will take place at the hotel entrance on Delaware. Please pick up a complimentary valet parking voucher at the registration desk or coat check before returning to valet pick up.

DIETARY REQUESTS & ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

Our reception & dinner menu includes a variety of gluten free and vegetarian/vegan options. If you have any specific allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact us (info below). You may also notify your server of any requests at the table.

We strive to make every IBF event accessible for all. If you or any of your guests have any specific requests for disability accommodations or need assistance for any reason, please contact Jessie Reeves at jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org or 312-920-4681.

HOTEL ROOM BLOCK

A limited block of rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel is open and available on a first come, first served basis for the night of Friday, October 16. Should guests prefer to book outside of this date range to extend their stay, please call the Four Seasons on-site reservations team directly (instructions below). Please note shoulder dates and rates are based on hotel availability.

CLICK HERE-Illinois Bar Foundation Guestrooms

ONLINE BOOKING:

1. Go to the custom link above, or CLICK HERE-Illinois Bar Foundation Guestrooms
2. Click on “Make Reservation”
3. Enter stay dates under “Check-in / Check-out”. Event dates are highlighted; dates outside of the room block are not included.
4. Enter number of guests
5. The below screen will appear with the option to select the City View Room at $525 and proceed to confirm reservation

CALLING HOTEL RESERVATIONS TEAM (ON-SITE):

1. To book your reservation over the phone, call 312-280-8400 and ask for the Reservations Department
2. Reference the group name when booking your reservation “Illinois Bar Foundation Guestrooms”
3. Our Reservations Agent will assist with securing your reservation over the phone

PROGRAM BOOK ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Unable to attend but interested in supporting the Gala? Program book acknowledgments starting at $200 are available here through September 25! Contact Jessie Reeves for more information at jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org or 312-920-4681.

ABOUT LARRY R. ROGERS, JR.

Larry R. Rogers, Jr. is a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience advocating for victims, fighting for victims rights, and helping people in general. As a partner at Power Rogers, L.L.P., Mr. Rogers, Jr. has successfully obtained numerous multimillion dollar settlements and verdicts in a variety of serious personal injury and wrongful death matters. Mr. Rogers Jr. has pursued cases against municipalities, healthcare providers, and corporate defendants whose wrongful conduct in aviation, medical treatment, transportation and trucking matters, as well as product liability and civil rights matters, has caused catastrophic injuries ranging from paraplegia to brain injuries or even death. In 2024 alone, Mr. Rogers Jr. has personally represented individuals in personal injury and wrongful death cases totaling over $130 million and over the course of his career and has recovered $100s of millions of dollars for his clients. He has been involved in numerous high-profile matters resulting from police brutality and civil rights violations in cities around the country, including St. Paul/Minneapolis, Chicago, and Cedar Rapids, to name a few.

In addition to his successful litigation experience, Mr. Rogers gives back as an active member of his profession and community. He has served as President of the Cook County Bar Association, the oldest association of African American attorneys in the country, and he remains active, as a regular sponsor of their monthly association meetings and events. He is a member of the NAACP, Operation PUSH and supports local churches and philanthropy activities.

In June, 2020, he was installed as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, an association of attorneys dedicated to representing injured parties and their families. He is only the second African American to hold that office.

He is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates an invitation-only group of 100 trial lawyers from across the country admitted based upon their track record of securing multi-million dollar verdicts for their clients and their commitment to representing victims and fighting for victims’ rights.

 

A Special Thank You to Our
75th Anniversary Presenting Sponsors

Perry & Michelle Browder

 

Thank you to all of this year’s generous Gala sponsors.
View the full list here!