About the Harold Washington Literary Award and our 2026 Selection Committee.

Selection Committee Co-Chairs: 

Rosellen Brown, Art Institute of Chicago  

Anne K. Ream, Center for Story & Witness

Selection Committee Members: 

Commissioner Chris Brown, Janet Burroway, Amy Danzer, Frances de Pontes Peebles, Rachel DeWoskin, Donald G. Evans, Miles Harvey, Brian Hieggelke, Bette Cerf Hill, Alex Kotlowitz, Jennifer Lizak, Ethan Michaeli, Evan Moore, Natalie Moore, Elise Paschen, Bonita Sanchez-Carlson, Donna Seaman, R. Clifton Spargo, Megan Stielstra, and Elizabeth Taylor

About the Award:

The Harold Washington Literary Award is given annually to an author or poet who makes creative use of the written word to address issues of contemporary life. The dinner celebrates the recipient of the Harold Washington Literary Award and raises funds for Near South Planning Board’s literary programs and year-round Authors in the Schools educational outreach program. The dinner serves as the kickoff event for the Printers Row Lit Fest, also an event of the Near South Planning Board.