The 35th Asian American Coalition of Chicago’s Lunar New Year Celebration

The Asian American Coalition of Chicago celebrated its 35th annual Lunar New Year for the Year of the Dog at Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois, on February 24 with the theme “Be United, Stay together,” attended by more than 1,000 people. The dinner banquet this year was hosted by the Korean American community of Chicago, chaired by Itak Seo, President of Korean American Association of Chicago. Next year’s country host will be the Philippines.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Secretary of State Jesse White, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, U.S Congressman Raja Krishnamorthi were among the many federal, state and local government officials who attended. The Consul Generals of many Asian countries also attended and were recognized. The Coalition presented the awardees of the 2018 Exemplary Community Service Awards and the Youth Who Excels Awards. (See our special feature on Ms. Lourdes Livas, recipient of AACC community service award from the Filipino American community of Chicago, The celebrity presenters were 2014 Miss Illinois Marisa Buchheit , Emmy Award winning TV Personality Billy Dec, multidisciplinary artist Mia Park and WGN-9 TV anchor Joani Lum.

Photo above taken at the AACC’s 35th celebration of Lunar New Year. Left to right: Lou Cabalona, Lourdes Mon and Veronica Leighton. Ms. Mon has been an active board of directors member of AACC for many years. She is also the current overall chairperson of the Philippine Independence Week Committee 2018.