Windy City Times newspaper's 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel
Windy City Times newspaper's 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

Windy City Times hosted our sold-out 40th anniversary party at Sidetrack Sept. 25, the same day the Chicago City Council passed two resolutions for the occasion. 

Jake Wittich, Windy City Times managing editor, at the newspaper's 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel
Jake Wittich, Windy City Times managing editor, at the newspaper’s 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

“What a night of colleagues and friends from the past and present,” said co-founder Tracy Baim. “We remembered those lost, and celebrated all who played a role in WCT’s 40 years—including our amazing staff, freelancers, owners, interview subjects, advertisers, and so many more.” 

Tracy Baim and Amy Matheny. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

Thank you to Anna DeShawn for amazing MC duties, Amy Matheny for a terrific ask and her decades of support, Jake Wittich who is part of the new gen leading WCT today, wonderful DJ’s Lora Branch and Vitigrrl, and food from Taylor’s Tacos. The Sidetrack team led by Brad Balof is always extraordinary.

Windy City Times newspaper's 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel
Anna DeShawn emcees Windy City Times newspaper’s 40th anniversary celebration. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

Vivian Gonzalez provided all marketing materials, and she and Chris Hass led the advance sales efforts.

Vivian Gonzalez, left. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel
Matt Simonette. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel
Windy City Times cover books, large and pocket sized. Photo by Kathleen Hinkle

The current WCT team—Terri Klinsky, Matt Simonette, Jake, Jean Albright, Ripley Caine, Jerry Nunn, Vivian, and so many more—keep this effort going while co-owner Tracy Baim heads up Press Forward Chicago. 

Ripley Caine, left. Photo by Kathleen Hinkle

Pictured: Ripley Caine, left. Photo by Kathleen Hinkle

Thanks also to volunteers Sandra Klein, David Strzepek, Tod Tatsui, Kelly Martin and the Second City Sisters. Finally, our sponsors, Bally’s Chicago Casino and Betancourt Realty.

Funds raised Thursday night, and now, help the new Windy City Times team in their efforts to cover Chicago-area LGBTQ+ news, culture, and beyond. You can still donate here: https://windy-city-times.fundjournalism.org/donate/ … for the next few days, a $50 donation gets you mailed a copy of 35 years of covers of the print editions of WCT and sister publications (til supplies run out!). And $300 gets you a 1TB flash drive with FULL PDFs, searchable, of the first 15 years of WCT, and the complete runs of Outlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida, and Identity. We had a fun mini flip-book version of the WCT covers book Thursday, so if you order now and donate $50 or more, you also get that! Til supplies last.

Danica Milich, Lora Shade, Kathleen Ulm, Terri Klinsky. Photo by Danica Milich
Danica Milich, Lora Shade, Kathleen Ulm, Terri Klinsky. Photo by Danica Milich

Donate here:

https://windy-city-times.fundjournalism.org/donate

Photos here by Kathleen Hinkel.