This originally appeared in Candid Candace

The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) has announced it will be honoring Jay Franke and David Herro with the 2014 Public Humanities Award at the IHC’s annual benefit luncheon on Tuesday, May 20, at the Palmer House Hilton. Given annually by the IHC since 1984, the Public Humanities Awardrecognizes individuals and organizations who have helped transform lives and strengthened communities through the humanities. Together, Jay and David have played an instrumental role in the founding and growth of the Chicago Dance Festival, the only free festival of its kind in the nation. Since 2006, the Festival has since grown to present more than 55 exceptional dance companies from Chicago and cities throughout the country as well as abroad, and performed before more than 60,000 people while maintaining free admission for all.  Co-Chairs are Antonio Gracias, Sabrina Gracias, Alton Harris, Andrea Kramer, Susanand Lew Manilow and Kerryann Haase Minton and Josef Minton.  (For tickets or more info, call Monika Collins at 312.422.5584 orvisit www.prairie.org/PHA.  (All proceeds from the luncheon will support the Illinois Humanities Council).