Story thread · 3 reports / 2 sources

Memorializing Illinoisans killed in combat: The Rundown

wbez.org · 4dShare

Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, and this time, instead of a baby animal, Chicagoans can help name a giant prehistoric boulder unearthed at O’Hare Airport. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. Illinois service members killed in combat after 9/11 were memorialized ahead of the terror attack’s 25th anniversary Hand-drawn portraits of more than 300 Illinoisans killed overseas during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are temporarily on display in the Richard J. Daley Center lobby, my colleague Kaitlin Washburn reports. The “Portrait of a Soldier” commemoration started in 2004 when a staffer for former Gov. Pat Quinn drew a portrait of an Illinois service member killed in Iraq. Quinn, who was lieutenant governor at the time, attended every funeral for Illinois military members killed overseas. The staffer, Cameron Schilling, began reaching out to other Gold Star families and offering to draw their loved ones. “It’s very important that we never forget the names and the sacrifice of Illin

First report: Post-9/11 Illinois service members killed in combat memorialized ahead of terror attack anniversary — suntimes.com, 5d