The Illinois Bar Foundation will celebrate its 7th Annual Gala on Friday, October 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. This year's recipient of the Foundation's Distinguished Award for Excellence is Hon. William R. Quinlan of Quinlan & Carroll. Mr. Quinlan has demonstrated throughout his professional life his commitment to public service. He has served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago for three mayors and is a former Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court and judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Gala Co-Chairpersons Martin Healy, Jr. of The Healy Law Firm and Lee Miller of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and Circle of Friends Co-Chairs Cheryl Niro and James Carroll, both of Quinlan & Carroll, have worked tirelessly to make Gala 2005 the most successful ever.

This year's event will once again feature both a live and silent auction. A number of unique items ranging from a glamorous fox-trimmed hat to a relaxing seven-day Caribbean cruise to an exciting Cubs Rooftop party will all be available for bidding.

In addition to the auctions, Raffle Co-Chairs Tony Romanucci and Stephan Blandin have put together an exciting raffle where one lucky winner will drive away with a 2006 Pontiac Solstice Roadster! Pontiac's newest convertible comes equipped with a five-speed manual transmission coupled with a four-cylinder, 177 horsepower engine. Add to that a sleek styling that is sure to turn heads and you have one of the hottest cars of 2006. Other items include a trip to Puerto Vallarta and his and hers Concord watches.

All proceeds from Gala 2005 benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation in its effort to improve and facilitate the administration of justice, provide scholarships to worthy law students, and provide subsistence to lawyers who are unable to practice because of illness or disability. For more information or to attend the event, contact Susan Pierson at 312-726-6072. Remember to buy your tickets early as this event has sold out early in recent years.