March to the Polls, the second annual women’s march in Chicago, is set for Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Congress and Columbus.
March organizers say there are more than 300 sister events being planned around the world this weekend to encourage “all women and their allies to get involved in 2018’s upcoming primary election and general election.” It’s unclear how many women are expected to attend this year’s march; last year, organizers were expecting up to 40,000 people, and more than 250,000 turned up.
Are you pumped? Are you excited? Are you just realizing that Jan. 20 is, like, tomorrow?
Here are some event details and pro tips about attending the March. See you there!
Event timeline:
9 a.m.: Music & video begin
11 a.m.: Rally (see speaker list below)
12:30 p.m.: March begins
Weather forecast:
Actual temps: High of 42 degrees/Low of 33
Will feel like: High of 35/Low of 24
March route:
- West to Michigan
- North on Michigan to Jackson
- West on Jackson to Clark
- North on Clark Street to Federal Plaza
Note: The march ends at Federal Plaza, and participants will be asked to immediately leave the area.
Speakers:
Emcee: Chicago actor, writer, and producer Fawzia Mirza
Tahera Ahmad, Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith Engagement, Northwestern University
Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner
Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General
Quiana McKenzie, Regional Campaign Finance Advisor, Emily’s List
Channyn Lynne Parker, Project Manager, Chicago House’s TransLife Project
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, U.S. House of Representatives
Chakena Sims, Board of Directors, Chicago Votes
Tom Steyer, Founder and President, NextGen America
K. Sujata, President and CEO, Chicago Foundation of Women
Celina Villanueva, New Americans Democracy Project, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Suzette Wright, former Chicago Ford Assembly Plant employee
Live Performances:
Bryant Jones Choir, featuring Deborah Lane
The Cast of Hamilton, featuring Ari Asfar
Bridget Marie, ZaZaZa Disco
Cast Members from Second City’s She the People
So Chi Voices
Faces for Radio
For more information, visit www.womensmarchchicago.org
(Photo of the 2017 Women’s March on Chicago by the fabulous Laurie Fanelli)
