2025 Gala

Honoring Mark D. Hassakis with the 2025 Distinguished Award for Excellence

Friday, October 17, 2025 
Four Seasons Hotel | 120 E. Delaware, Chicago 
VIP Reception begins at 6 pm | General cocktail reception begins at 6:30 pm

You are cordially invited to join us for the 26th Annual Illinois Bar Foundation Gala honoring Mark D. Hassakis (Hassakis & Hassakis P.C.). Mr. Hassakis’ 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.

As a Past President and longtime booster of both the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Foundation, Mr. Hassakis almost certainly holds the record for bringing the greatest number of new leaders into the IBF family. Keeping with that theme, this year’s Gala will celebrate the history of the IBF as well as the spirit of connection and friendship that brings us together each year.

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, Mark Hassakis.

VALET & PARKING

Valet parking and rideshare drop off will take place at the hotel entrance on Delaware. If you would prefer to self-park at the 900 N Michigan Shops parking garage, please see staff at the registration desk for a complimentary parking voucher before the end of the night (please note: quantities of self-park vouchers are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis).

DIETARY REQUESTS & ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

Our reception & dinner menu includes a variety of gluten free and vegetarian 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 will be available. More details coming soon.

PROGRAM BOOK ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Unable to attend but interested in supporting the Gala? Program book acknowledgments starting at $300 will be available soon.

ABOUT MARK D. HASSAKIS

Mark D. Hassakis has the legal advocacy of Illinois victims in his blood. Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Mark followed in the footsteps of his father Demetri, a lifelong Mt. Vernon attorney, to practice law at Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C, now celebrating 75 years. Mark has dedicated his professional life to helping his fellow Illinois citizens and the community at large. In addition to his exceptional career representing individuals’ needs in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation, professional malpractice, and general tort injury cases, Mark is a true leader with unparalleled dedication to giving back to the community.

Mark joined the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation in 1993, culminating in his term as President from 2000-02. During his time on the Board, Mark was instrumental in the creation and development of our now-signature fundraising events, including the Gala and our Lawyers Rock concert. His passion for juvenile justice initiatives led to the establishment of the IBF’s M. Denny Hassakis Fund, which focuses on improving the Illinois’ juvenile justice system through public policy changes and support of programs helping vulnerable youth.

Mark served as President of the Illinois State Bar Association from 2010-11, where he continued advocating for juvenile justice reform, established young attorney mentorship programs, and highlighted the many ways that lawyers can and do give back to their communities to shape a better future for all. He has taken on numerous other bar leadership roles, including as Chairman of the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, President of the Jefferson County Bar Association, and Board Member of the Hellenic Bar Association, the Lawyers’ Trust Fund of Illinois and the Juvenile Justice Initiative, to name a few.

Mark has served on countless local boards and committees and spearheaded numerous projects to the benefit of the Mt. Vernon and Southern Illinois community, including those focused on downtown development and the restoration of historical buildings and the support and development of community parks and arts projects. He has led efforts to bring nationally acclaimed jazz artists to Mt. Vernon to teach and introduce jazz music to area grade school youth and to attract a nationally acclaimed sculpture artist to create an an “Abraham Lincoln as a Lawyer” piece for placement on the 5th Appellate Court grounds in Mt. Vernon. A proud alumnus of Northwestern University, Mark continues to serve as an Alumni Regent, acting as an ambasador of the University, and as a member of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle since 2012.