​On April 27, 2015, the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, hosted its annual Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration for Israel's 67th Independence Day at the Standard Club in Chicago, with more than 400 guests in attendance. Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner, was the keynote speaker and Congressman Bill Foster (Rep. 11th District) also spoke at the event which was attended by Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez,  members of the Chicago City Council, state legislators, foreign dignitaries, educators, and community religious leaders. The Consulate presented founding members of Students Supporting Israel, Ilan Sinelnikov, Naor Bitton, and Valeria Chazin, with the First Annual Israel-Midwest Bridge Award. The evening was concluded with a concert by Baladino featuring Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble who performed a compilation of Mediterranean folk and chamber music.

Read the Consul General's speech at the event