* From Chris Kennedy…

Rich,

My nonprofit, Top Box Foods, is close to winning a $65,000 grant from Zipcar, but we need your vote on Facebook to win! Please click http://m.facebook.com/apps/communitieswithdrive/ and vote for Top Box Foods today.

We have less than a week to bump up to first place, and I’m counting on friends like you to help us get there. You can have a huge and positive impact on Chicago’s most under-served communities with just a vote. Thanks.

Give him a hand, please.

* Eric Herman sent me this press release the other day…

As thousands of Illinois gay and lesbian couples officially tie the knot during Pride Month in Illinois, two top PR organizations honored Chicago-based public affairs firm ASGK Public Strategies for its work on the campaign to bring marriage equality to Illinois. ASGK led communications strategy for the campaign, now recognized as one of the most creative and successful of 2013.

Working directly with coalition leaders and donors, ASGK oversaw media relations and strategy, message development, campaign and logo branding, advertising and community outreach.

The Publicity Club of Chicago honored ASGK Public Strategies with two awards: the Golden Trumpet for “Best Government Affairs Campaign” and the top Platinum Award for “Best Overall PR Campaign of the Year.”

The Public Relations Society of America – Chicago Chapter honored ASGK Public Strategies with its top Skyline Award for “Best Public Affairs Campaign.”

“This recognition is truly a celebration on behalf of equality for all in Illinois. Thank you to all the coalition partners, advocates, friends and families who helped make the campaign for marriage equality a success,” said Eric Sedler, ASGK Managing Partner.

ASGK team members who worked on the campaign include: Eric Herman, Managing Director; Sophie McCarthy, Managing Director; Jeff Philips, Director; Max Bever, Senior Associate; Jon Paul Valadez, Senior Associate; and Lauren Ryan, Associate.

“It was a pleasure to work side-by-side with the talented team at ASGK and I applaud their hard work in helping secure marriage for all Illinoisans. As a result, now all families can live as fully equal citizens in the Land of Lincoln,” said State Representative Greg Harris, Lead House Sponsor of SB10, The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

* Eric also suggested this play-out song today…