Advancing Contraceptive Equity, sponsored by ICAN - Illinois Contraceptive Access Now
2023-11-13 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Cook County Professional Health Building, 1950 W. Polk Street 5th floor, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Please join Illinois Contraceptive Access Now (ICAN!) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for Advancing Contraceptive Equity: Birth Control is Health Care, on Monday November 13th, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Click here to register for this in-person event.
Illinois is a leader in advancing progressive reproductive health policies and rights. While defending abortion access has rightly been our immediate priority following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, we must also realize that access to patient-centered contraceptive care across the lifespan is fundamental to reproductive autonomy.
Please join policy makers, providers, payers, patients, and community partners to hear from HHS national leadership and key Illinois stakeholders including:
Keynote: Melanie Fontes Rainer, Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Michael Cabonargi, Regional Director, Region V, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Lizzy Whitehorn, incoming Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Israel Rocha Jr., CEO, Cook Country Health
Kimberly Knox-O’Shields, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Friend Health
Michelle Johnson, ICAN! Community Advisory Board Member
Stephanie Liou, MD, ICAN! Community Advisory Board Member
Kai Tao and Katie Thiede, co-founders, ICAN!
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how they can support every Illinoisans’ right to high-quality contraceptive care, including by connecting 1.2 million newly eligible Illinoisans to expanded Medicaid for family planning and related services under the HFS Family Planning Program.
Click here to register for this in-person event.

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
2024-01-10 17:30 - 19:30 | McHenry County College Luecht Auditorium, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012, United States
Please join us for an evening of remembrance, reflection, and action as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s all happening at 5:30 pm on the evening of Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, in the Luecht Auditorium of McHenry County College. Park on the south side, there’s a door marked for the auditorium.
It’s free — please RSVP here !
Pastor Dr. Norval Brown, Master of Ceremonies
Doors open at 5:30 pm and documentary screening begins at 6:00 pm followed by an inspiring discussion.
Presented by McHenry County Juneteenth and McHenry County College.

Bigger Than Roe 2024 - Protest the Crystal Lake CPC
2024-01-20 12:00 - 13:00 | 610 Crystal Point Road, 610 Crystal Point Road, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, United States
On January 20th, days before the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, feminists all across the USA will be marching and protesting … to shore up our forces and take on the work ahead in the fight for reproductive freedom. Here in McHenry County, please join McHenry County NOW and McHenry County Citizens for Choice, as we protest near one of the many fake clinics (“crisis pregnancy centers”) that plague us.
Date and time: Noon to 1:00 pm on Saturday January 20th
Watch the livestream on Facebook or YouTube (and please share.)
Or join us in person at 610 Crystal Point Road, Crystal Lake
(by the emissions testing place, southeast of Main Street & NW Hwy (Rte 14)
(we’ll have signs, or bring your own)
Visit womensmarch.com, watch this great video, and get plugged into womensmarch.com here.
As Women’s March writes: “This January, we will unite to send an unequivocal message: Our resolve is unyielding. Our movement is not just about Roe; it is about safeguarding the rights and freedoms for all, now and for future generations. We are the majority, and our voices will be heard.
“On the weekend of January 19-21, 2024, we’ll be mobilizing in all 50 states with priority on the nine states where abortion rights will be directly on the ballot. These mobilizations are a strategic intervention to galvanize voters for the 2024 elections. We’re showing up to secure abortion access and counter far-right extremism. Join us in the state-by-state battle to defend our rights shape our future.”

Protecting Transgender Rights - A Townhall sponsored by the AHA
2024-01-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Please join the American Humanist Association for a nationwide online Town Hall on Protecting Transgender Rights.
This sure-to-be-fascinating event will feature Sarah Ray, transgender activist and Trek podcaster; Alison Gill, American Atheist Legal and Policy Vice President; and Kris Tassone, Policy Counsel for the National Center for Transgender Equality,
It’s on Monday, January 22nd, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm Central time.
Please click here for more information and to register.
Issues impacting the transgender community have become a flashpoint in the 2024 election, with far right candidates campaigning and endorsing policies that are against gender-affirming care, the right of transgender folks to participate in sports, comprehensive education that’s inclusive of gender identity and sexuality, access to abortion for trans* and non-binary folks, and much more.
According to the ACLU, 506 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2023 as of November. At an alarming rate, the House of Representatives is introducing bills harmful and dangerous to the transgender community, such as the Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 2024. Section 534 of this bill will prohibit gender-affirming surgical procedures and hormone therapies, which would result in extensive damage if passed.
Please click here for more information and to register.

The Year Ahead in The Fight For Reproductive Justice
2024-01-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Grace Place & Hybrid, 637 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
On Tuesday, January 30th, Chicago for Abortion Rights will be hosting The Year Ahead In The Fight For Reproductive Justice, a roundtable discussion on the many aspects of the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. Local reproductive and social justice organizations will have materials, books, and swag; come learn about ways you can get involved!
Click here to register.
The fascinating lineup of speakers includes:

Jeanine Valrie Logan, Chicago South Side Birth Center
Tayo Mbande, Chicago Birthworks Collective
Lisa Battisfore, Reproductive Transparency Now
Mary Bowman, abortion and trans healthcare provider
Alicia Hurtado, Chicago Abortion Fund

Topics will innclude the right’s assault on medication abortion, the fight for birth justice and addressing racial disparities in reproductive healthcare, how to fight the increased criminalization of abortion and pregnancy outcomes, and the rise of Crisis Pregnancy Centers and the recent news that the Attorney-General of Illinois is backing down from enforcing passed legislation to hold crisis pregnancy centers accountable for their deceptive practices.
You can attend either in person at Grace Place, 637 South Dearborn Street, in downtown Chicago, or watch the livestream. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the programm starts at 6:00. Registration is required — here’s the link. Note also that masks are required if you’re attending in person — all of us are too important to get sick!

Maria Peterson's Town Hall on Reproductive Rights
2024-02-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Maria Peterson, Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 52nd district, including parts of McHenry County, writes:
Dear Friends and Supporters: With the overturning of Roe v Wade, reproductive rights remains a key concern for voters including in the 52nd IL State House District. With the district quickly moving away from the extremism of the Republican Party and the 100% anti-reproductive rights incumbent, it’s important to make sure the voters know where we both stand on the subject. I am proud to be endorsed by both Personal PAC and Planned Parenthood and it’s time to bring reasonable representation to the 52nd District.
Because this issue is key in this election, I am making reproductive rights the topic of my first Town Hall of 2024. Please consider joining me for a discussion on this very important topic:
Town Hall on Reproductive Rights – February 22nd, 2024 – 7:00 pm – 8:00 PM
Click here to register …
via Zoom so everyone is able to join. With special guest, Oren Jacobson, Men4Choice, Co-founder & Co-Executive Director

The 2024 ACLU Lunch: Fighting for a more perfect union
2024-03-01 11:00 - 13:30 | Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Save the date and join us at the 2024 luncheon of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, featuring the famed Busy Philipps as keynote speaker.
Get your tickets here !
Please join the ACLU of Illinois for our annual Lunch on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM. The event will be held in person at the Hilton Chicago and a virtual livestream will also be available. Whether participants join us in person or virtually, everyone will be able to view the program in its entirety.
We are looking forward to gathering with members of the ACLU community from across Illinois to celebrate the work of the past year, recommit to the ongoing fight for civil rights and civil liberties, and raise funds critical to our work. We encourage you to purchase your tickets or commit to a sponsorship as soon as possible!

Rally for Abortion Rights on International Women's Day
2024-03-08 17:30 - 18:30 | 1212 North LaSalle Drive, 1212 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL, 60610, United States
Lisa Battisfore of Reproductive Transparency Now writes: “Join Reproductive Transparency Now and Chicago for Abortion Rights at 5:30pm CT on Friday, March 8th, to rally and protest the anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center that recently opened at 1212 N. La Salle Drive, right next door to Planned Parenthood. Local residents and neighbors deserve to know the truth about the anti-abortion forces that are at work in their community!”
Date: Friday, March 8th
Time: Starts at 5:30pm CT
Place: Meet outside of 1212 N. La Salle Drive, in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago
For Event Updates: RSVP online or visit the Facebook event page
What to Bring: Your friends, favorite pro-abortion signs, and outside voices! Please keep your signs gender-inclusive.
The Women’s Care Center located in Old Town, Chicago, is just one of nearly 100 anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” in Illinois.
Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), also called “fake clinics,” are anti-abortion organizations that target pregnant people with deceptive and misleading information in order to prevent them from seeking abortion care. Anti-abortion CPCs frequently open near abortion clinics in order to confuse people seeking reproductive healthcare and create opportunities to misdirect patients away from their appointments. This practice is known as “clinic co-location.”

Protest the Johnsburg CPC for Women's History Month
2024-03-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 North Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg, IL, 60051, United States
Crystal Lake CPC Protest
Please join McHenry County Citizens for Choice (that’s us) and McHenry County NOW (the McHenry County Chapter of the National Organization for Women) for the next in our series of pop-up pro-choice protests.
We’ll be protesting in Johnsburg, not far from one of the “crisis pregnancy centers” – fake clinics that prey on vulnerable women and girls. At this moment in time, what better way to commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month !
It’s from 11:00 am to noon on Saturday March 16, 2024 — assemble at the Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 North Johnsburg Road.
If you can make it, please RSVP here.
Like the last one, we’ll live stream it on Facebook, so you can watch if you can’t attend. Only an hour and the weather is guaranteed to be gorgeous. Please share the Facebook event.

Chicago Foundation for Women's Impact Awards
2024-03-20 17:00 - 20:00 | Harold Washington Library Winter Garden, 400 South State Street, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Chicago Foundation for Women’s Impact Awards honors trailblazing individuals working tirelessly to ensure women and girls have the support they need to succeed. Please join us as we celebrate Women’s History Month and honor this year’s 2024 Impact Award Honorees.
It’s all happening on the evening of Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (the day after the primary election) in the Winter Garden at the Harold Washington Library, at 400 South State Street in Chicago. Registration opens at 5:00 pm, the awards ceremony will be at 6:00 pm, and the reception with the honorees starts at 7:00.
Get your tickets and check out the complete list of honorees here.

Northwest CASA's Film & Wine Festival
2024-04-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, IL, 60089, United States
Please join Northwest CASA (the Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault) for their inaugural Film and Wine Festival. Enjoy an evening of films created by women, about women, yet for all to enjoy.
Your admission grants you access to film screenings,, hors d’oeuvres, wine, a silent auction, spirited intermissions, and immeasurable inspiration.
It’s all happening on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 6 to 9 pm, at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, in Buffalo Grove.
Get your tickets here !

Planned Parenthood of Illinois Annual Celebration
2024-05-01 18:30 - 20:00 | The Geraghty, 2520 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
Please join Planned Parenthood of Illinois for their Annual Celebration. Join us for a moving evening dedicated to raising funds to further the critical mission of Planned Parenthood of Illinois’ (PPIL). We will celebrate the dedication and support of our PPIL community of health care staff, patients, board, volunteers, and supporters.
It’s on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, with the VIP reception starting at 5:30pm, the main event at 6:30, and program and dinner at 7. At The Geraghty, 2520 South Hoyne Avenue, in Chicago. It’s a beautiful event space, easy to get to, with a private, gated parking lot and with valet parking also.
Not cheap, but well worth it if you can afford it, as you will be directly supporting the critical work of Planned Parenthood. Get your tickets(s) here.
This is a critical time as bodily autonomy and LGBTQIA+ rights are threatened across the country. Your support will allow us to continue to break down barriers and advance sexual and reproductive health care in Illinois. Together, we will ensure patients are able to access comprehensive, compassionate, and essential health care, education, and advocacy – no matter what!

PRH's Voices of Courage with John Oliver
2024-05-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Hybrid
Please join Physicians for Reproductive Health for Voices of Courage, their annual celebration recognizing two courageous abortion providers making a tremendous impact in their communities while facing political attacks, harassment, and criminalization.
Honoring Dr. April Lockley for her trailblazing advocacy work and for championing health equity, patient autonomy and reproductive justice in New York City and nationwide, and Dr. Amy Bryant for exemplary leadership as a physician, educator and advocate dedicated to advancing reproductive health, rights and justice in North Carolina and beyond.
Featuring keynote speaker (for the second year) the amazing and hilarious John Oliver.
Register here — either to watch online or, if you happen to be in New York, attend in person !

We Won't Go Back -- Pre-Election Rally !
2024-11-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Northwest Highway & Exchange Drive, Northwest Highway & Exchange Drive, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, United States
Please join McHenry County Citizens for Choice, McHenry County NOW and other groups for We Won’t Go Back, an all-inclusive rally on the Saturday before Election Day. Support pro-choice candidates up and down the ballot.
WHEN: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 — from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
WHERE: North side of Northwest Highway (Route 14) in Crystal Lake, west of Exchange Drive
We’l have signs, but feel free to be creative and bring your own!

Lead With Your Heart: The Story of Miss Major
2025-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | The Tree of Life Unitarian Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL, United States
LEAD WITH YOUR HEART — the story of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
WHEN: Saturday, March 29th, 2025 – 7:00 pm
WHERE: Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 West Bull Valley Road, McHenry
Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation is honored to host a screening of MAJOR! which explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of color for over 40 years. MAJOR! will be shown on Saturday, March 29 at 7 pm at the church, 5603 W. Bull Valley Road in McHenry.
The film is co-sponsored by Tree of Life, McHenry County NOW, and McHenry County Citizens for Choice. Admission is free and open to the public. Freewill donations will be held to support the work of the Transformative Justice Law Project which provides free legal services for trans and gender non-conforming people.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy is a veteran of the Stonewall Rebellion and a survivor of Attica State Prison, a former sex worker, an elder, and a community leader and human rights activist. She is simply “Mama” to many in her community. Her personal story and activism for transgender civil rights intersects struggles for justice and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (LGBTQ+) from the 1960s to today. At the center of her activism is her fierce advocacy for her girls, trans women of color who have survived police brutality and incarceration in men’s jails and prisons.
MAJOR! was an official selection at over 60 film festivals around the world and garnered 20 awards for best documentary. Miss Major’s story offers a roadmap for social justice movements lead by and for transgender women of color, and a unique opportunity to learn from living elders.
Light refreshments will be provided and an open discussion will follow the movie.
“MAJOR! is both a challenging and inspirational film,” states Chaplain Dave Becker, pastor at Tree of Life, “ and it is particularly relevant at this moment in time when so many of the rights that Miss Major fought so hard for are being rolled back. Hosting this film is part of our faith’s larger commitment to honoring the inherent worthiness and dignity of all people which includes our trans and gender non-conforming siblings.”
This program was organized by the Tree of Life’s Welcoming Congregation Team, members of the congregation who help lead the church community’s commitment to welcome, inclusion, and belonging of the LGBTQ+ community with the congregation. Tree of Life has been engaged in the national Unitarian Universalist Association’s Welcoming Congregation Project since 2004.

United We Resist
2025-04-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Randall & Algonquin, Randall Road & Algonquin Road, Algonquin, IL, United States
UNITED WE RESIST !
Please join McHenry County NOW for the next stop on their roadside rally tour.
WHEN: Saturday April 5th, 2025 – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: SE corner of Randall & Algonquin Roads, Algonquin Illinois
Please click here to RSVP on EventBrite.
Here’s the event at mchenryconow.org.
Here’s the event on Facebook — please share.
We’re mobilizing once again to stop the assault on our country and Constitution!
We’ll be joining rallies/protests across the country happening on the same day.
We’re taking to the streets with our friends & neighbors who care about the constant attacks on the Rights of Women, People of Color, the LGBTQIA+ community, Veterans, those with Disabilities, Low income families, Seniors, Farmers & our Migrant/Refugee families in this country to defend our freedoms, our rights, and our future!
When those in power try to silence us, we RESIST even louder!
When they attack our communities, we fight back with our neighbors, TOGETHER!
Bring signs, bring your family/friends, let’s do this again and again!!
*PARK IN THE REAR/OVERFLOW JEWEL OSCO SPACES CLOSEST TO RANDALL ROAD ONLY

Personal PAC's Healthcare Providers for Choice
2025-04-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Address Provided Upon RSVP
Personal PAC invites you to …
Healthcare Providers For Choice: A conversation with healthcare providers on the state of reproductive care.
WHEN: Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Address provided upon RSVP
On April 24th, join advocates, providers, and other patient-centered professionals to discuss what’s new with sexual and reproductive health care in Illinois at Personal PAC’s Healthcare Providers for Choice. Come share, listen, and learn about what’s at stake for health care access in our region and across the country.
RSVP at bit.ly/ppachealthcare2025 today!

Voices of Courage featuring John Oliver
2025-05-12 17:00 - 19:30 | Hybrid
Physicians for Reproductive Health invites you to …
VOICES OF COURAGE – Featuring John Oliver
WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 2025 — 6:00 to 8:30 pm Eastern
WHERE: Watch online or attend in person at the City Winery New York
Get your tickets here.
With a virtual ticket, watch the livestream here.
This benefit celebrates courageous abortion providers making an unwavering impact in their communities.
Honoring Dr. Tiffany Hailstorks and Dr. Jennifer Russo. And with special guest, host of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver. JOHN OLIVER is an Emmy and Writer’s Guild award-winning writer, comedian and host of the HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. From 2006 to 2013 Oliver was a correspondent on The Daily Show, winning three Primetime Emmy’s for his writing, going on to then guest-host the show in 2013.

Women's HERStory Month Celebration from McHenry County NOW
2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Algonquin Township Headquarters, 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, United States
Please join McHenry County NOW (the McHenry County chapter of the National Organization for Women) for their Women’s Herstory Month Celebration.
WHEN: Thursday, March 5th, 2026 — 6:30 to 8:30 pm
WHERE: Algonquin Township, 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake
Featuring a showing of the film “Becoming” and a sure-to-be-fascinating post-film discussion. Connect, share, and be inspired.
Please RSVP here.

No Kings III Hosted by Indivisible McHenry County
2026-03-28 11:00 - 13:00 | Route 31 & McCullom Lake Road, State Rte 31 & McCullom Lake Rd, McHenry, IL, 60051, United States
Indivisible McHenry County (follow them on Facebook) writes:
“Indivisible McHenry County is hosting a No Kings III peaceful roadside protest rally from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28th. The rally will take place on Route 31 at McCullom Lake Rd, in McHenry, IL. Bring your own signs, flags, etc, and feel free to invite your friends. We had 5,000 people at our last two No Kings rallies and we expect our No Kings 3 to be another big one, so make sure to join us!
“Parking is available in the large empty parking lot on the northeast corner of Rte 31 and McCullom Lake Rd. Please do not park in front of open businesses. Let’s leave those spaces open for their customers.
“Registration is appreciated but not required, however those who register will automatically receive notifications of our future events. Here is the registration link.”
