Top half of the button is green with white text, the bottom half is red with white text and there is a white stripe through the center with red text on it.

This button comes from Richard J. Daley's campaign to become mayor of Chicago in 1975. Daley, a Democrat, was first elected to the position in 1955, and was elected five more times, 1975 being his last time running for office. While he was mayor, Daley worked hard towards keeping Chicago from declining and oversaw the construction of iconic landmarks like Sears Tower, and O'Hare International Airport. Unfortunately, less than a year after being elected mayor for the sixth time, Daley died while in office.

Richard J. Daley. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_J._Daley.

Black text and a symbol on a white background on a silver background

The Chicago (Illinois) Police Department is the one of the largest non-federal law enforcement agencies in the United States, second only to the New York City Police Department. In 1835, the state of Illinois authorized the then-town of Chicago to develop its own police force. Three officers served the approximately 3,200 residents. As of 2015, the Chicago Police Department has over 12,000 sworn officers.

This button features the corporate seal of Chicago, which includes a shield to represent the spirit of the city; a native American to symbolize the original inhabitants of the land; a shaft of wheat meant to imply abundance; a ship to represent Chicago’s location on Lake Michigan; and a sleeping infant in a shell to symbolize Chicago as the “gem” of the Great Lakes. The corporate seal is an integral part of the Chicago Police uniform, and is featured on uniform patches and insignia for officers of all ranks.

Black text and a blue and red illustration on a white background

The Skokie Spirt 5K/10K run/walk was an athletic event that took place annually from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s in Skokie, Illinois. The Skokie Spirit 5K/10K was organized by Rush North Shore Medical Center, a hospital located in the community. Skokie is a suburb of Chicago, located just north of the city limits in Cook County. The village was incorporated in 1888 with the name Niles Center, however following a renaming campaign and referendum, it was officially renamed Skokie in 1940. Though technically a village, the 2010 census indicated that Skokie’s population has grown to over 60,000 people.

Illustration of a man wearing a leather jacket and pants and black motorcycle boots with black text along the top edge with a white background

This is most likely for the Gold Coast bar in Chicago, the first gay leather bar to be opened in the United States. The bar owas pened in 1958 by photographer Chuck Renslow, who had also founded numerous motorcycling magazines and clubs. Located on North Clark Street, the bar was considered tough and intimidating. Throughout the 1970s Renslow ran Mr. Gold Coast competitions, which became so popular that in 1979 it was moved to a bigger venue and is known today as the International Mr. Leather, a contest and conference for ‘leathermen’ around the world. The Gold Coast closed in 1988 after nearly thirty years, and in 1991 Renslow was inducted into the Chicago Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame.

Baim, Tracy. (2007, June 6). Chuck Renslow. Retrieved from: http://chicagogayhistory.com/biography.html?id=772.

International Mr. Leather. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mr._Leather.

White text on a pink background

“I’ve got pride” refers to the celebration of the LGBTQ community during Pride Month. It is traditionally celebrated in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which is the turning point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the U.S. Although it was initially celebrated on the last Sunday of June, it expanded to a month-long series of events, including pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts. The first Pride march was held on June 28, 1970, in New York City, exactly one year after the event of the Stonewall Uprising. The Stonewall raid, a popular gay bar on Christopher Street, led to activists celebrating the uprising the following March to demonstrate against abuse on anti-Homosexual laws. Events like these honor the local, national, and international impact of the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.

White text on a red background

It has been said that nurses play an integral role in the healthcare system; therefore, they have been referred to as “The Heart of Healthcare” by Donna Wilk Cardillo, RN, CSP. Cardillo is also known as "The Inspirational Nurse" and travels the world helping to inspire women and healthcare professionals to be happy with their lives and reach their full potential. 

The I heart NY logo was created in 1977 by Milton Glaser for an ad campaign created by advertising agency Wells Rich Greene. The marketing campaign was sought by then-Deputy Commissioner William S. Doyle to increase tourism in the state of New York. The campaign was a wild success. The original sketch of the logo is permanently on display at the MOMA.

Yellow text with a red outline and a red heart in place of a letter A over a purple line with red text underneath and with purple text and confetti above on a white background

Alexian Brothers Medical Center is a hospital in Elk Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The hospital is well-known in for its Heart and Vascular Institute, which offers community-based heart health screenings and non-invasive rapid heart disease detection, in addition to heart and vascular disease treatments and comprehensive cardiac surgery and rehabilitation. A Fair of the Heart was most likely an event put on by the Alexian Brothers Medical Center to promote heart disease prevention and heart-healthy practices. 

White background with a pink triangle illustration with a purple stripe across the top and two thin curved stripes across the bottom and black pink and purple text.

Chicago Pride Week began as a movement to raise awareness for gay and lesbian rights and to celebrate LGBT culture. The first Pride Week was in June, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, and was overtly political in nature. It featured workshops, a dance, and a march and rally that drew about 200 people. 1990 was the 21st annual Pride Week, and by that time the events had grown decidedly more festive. The parade —the culminating event of the week—took place on June 24th, and drew about 100,000 spectators. The 186 parade entrants included the sitting mayor, Richard M. Daley, local alderman and politicians, activists and political organizations, drag queens, dancers, and choruses.

The phrase on this button, “Look to the Future”, is a reference to the theme of the 1990 InterPride World Conference. InterPride is a global non-profit organization founded in 1981, which aims to bring together producers of pride events and create a network of pride events worldwide.

White text on an orange background

Located on the shore line of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the most populous city in the state of Illinois and the third largest city in the United States. It is an international hub thriving in art, culture, finance, trade, industry, rail transportation, and commerce. The city is rich in history and diversity as it is home to people of many different backgrounds and cultures. It is recognized as a major world financial center and futures exchange. Chicago is also known for its two major league baseball teams; the Cubs and the White Sox, as well as its outdoor public art, architecture, and unique cuisine. Chicago's nicknames include: The Windy City, City of Big Shoulders, The Second City, The White City, and The City That Works.

Purple text above and below a purple and white illustration of the Chicago skyline all on a yellow background.

In 1985 Chicago celebrated its sixteenth annual Pride Parade. The parade, which was first held in 1970, takes place on the last Sunday in the month of June, and is the high point of the Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. Pride Parades like these are believed to be partially responsible for the greater acceptance and support of the LGBT community. In 1985 the parade was attended by 35,000 spectators, while in 2014 the parade drew in over one million spectators.

Chicago Pride Parade. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Pride_Parade