CHICAGO — Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees will participate in a “Save the Met Opera” protest outside the “Live at the Met” opera broadcast of “Enchanted Island,” 7 p.m., River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., and City North 14 w RPX, 2600 N. Western Ave. Contact: Jamie Horwitz, (202) 549-4921, [email protected].

CHICAGO — Deadline for media to register for the 2014 Big Ten Football Media Days on July 28-29 at the Hilton Chicago. Online registration at http://office.bigten.org/media . Contact: Brett McWethy, (847) 696-1010, ext. 142.

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

NORMAL — Illinois State University will host the Illinois Renewable Energy Conference. 8 a.m. Bone Student Center, 100 N. University St. Contact: David Loomis, 309-438-7979.

AURORA — Mayor Tom Weisner and other officials will attend a groundbreaking for a 290,000-square-foot expansion of Chicago Premium Outlets to add 50 new stores, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Chicago Premium Outlets, 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Farnsworth Ave. exit from Interstate 88. Contact Bonni Pear, (312) 670-8948, [email protected].

EVANSTON — Community members are invited to join Mayor Elizabeth B. Tisdahl for a town hall meeting. 7 p.m. the Chandler-Newberger Community Center, 1028 Central St. Contact: Patrick Deignan [email protected], or 847-448-8234

WILIMINGTON — Will County Board Member Ragan Freitag will host a community meeting on the planned Illiana Expressway. 5 p.m. Wilmington City Hall, 1165 S. Water St. Contact: Regan Freitag, (815) 545-6642.

Thursday, July 17

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

CHICAGO — The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees annual runs through July 18. The Rev. William Barber will speak. Noon. McCormick Place Hall B, 2301 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Contact: Chris Fleming, 202-631-0929.

CHICAGO — Access to Capital Workshop for small business owners, sponsored by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, 8:30 a.m., Second Federal Savings, 3960 W. 26th Street. Contact: Jaime DiPaulo, (773) 521-5387, [email protected].

CHICAGO — Trolley tour of “The Chicago Tree Project,” ten sculpted trees throughout Chicago’s parks, 9:45 a.m., Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing entrance on Monroe Street. Contact: Mia DiMeo, (316) 253-6623, [email protected]

CHICAGO — Navy Pier and “Tall Ship Windy” will welcome “Tall Ship Peacemaker” to dock at the pier and the visiting ship will be open for tours, 3:45 p.m., Navy Pier. Contact: Patti Lock, (847) 274-2475, [email protected].

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

TINLEY PARK — The Illinois Student Assistance Commission will sponsor a conference called College Changes Everything on the state’s goal to increase the percentage of adults with degrees to 60 percent by 2015. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tinley Park Convention Center, 8451 Convention Center Dr. Contact: Lynne Baker, 847.831.8024.

Friday, July 18

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

CHICAGO — A coalition of local school councils will have a press conference to ask the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education for an additional increase in per pupil funding, 8 a.m., CPS headquarters, 125 S. Clark St. Contact: Kate Schott Bolduc (773) 454-5015, [email protected].

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush will host a minor contracting opportunity fair. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Illinois Institute of Technology, Hermann Hall, 3241 S. Federal St. Contact: Debra Johnson, (202) 679-0381.

CHICAGO — Mandela Day celebration by the South African Consulate of Chicago, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., various locations. Contact Tshepisco Matlala, [email protected].

CHICAGO — Groundbreaking ceremony for Wolf Point West, a $160 million, 48-story multifamily project, 10:30 a.m., Wolf Point West, 326 N. Orleans St. Contact: Bernard Pollack, (202) 320-1622, [email protected].

CHICAGO — NRDC issues a report outlining achievements of Chicago buildings participating in effort against climate change, 10:30 a.m., conference call. Contact: Josh Mogerman, (312) 651-7909.

CHICAGO — North American Bitcoin Conference will screen the documentary “The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin.” 7:30 p.m. House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. Contact: Martin Stein, 702-285-2873, [email protected].

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

JOLIET — Metra board of directors meeting. 10 a.m. 302 N. Chicago St. Contact: 312-322-6966.

DES PLAINES — U.S. Navy submarine veteran from World War II Robert Krautstrunk, 1 p.m. Silver Stallion Restaurant, 1275 Lee St. Contact: Ryan Yantis, 312-814-0778 or [email protected].

DOWNERS GROVE — Kids Identification and Safety Seat event sponsored by the Illinois Tollway, Illinois State Police and Walgreens; free children’s IDs created and child safety-seat inspection, Walgreens, 1000 Ogden Ave., 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact: Trooper Dwayne McClain, (630) 241-5800, ext. 5009, dmcclain(a)getipass.com, or Dan Rozek, (630) 241-6800, ext. 2391, [email protected].

Saturday, July 19

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

CHICAGO — The North American Bitcoin Conference. Through Sunday. McCormick Place South Building.

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

BLOOMINGTON — Civil War anniversary events. David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, 1000 Monroe Drive. Contact: Jeannie Riordan, 309-828-1084.

UTICA — Bowfishing Association of Illinois and Illinois Department of Natural Resources host Directors Shoot/Innerloc State Bowfishing Championships. Through Sunday. Starved Rock State Park. Contact: Chris Young, 217-557-1240 or [email protected].

EVANSTON — Bike ride and open house to discuss Chicago Ave., Sheridan Road bike-lane and street improvements; bike ride, 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m.; informal open house, 9 a.m. to noon; Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Contact Patrick Deignan, (847) 448-8234, [email protected]; public comments may be made to [email protected].

CHAMPAIGN — U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis hosts inaugural women’s event. 8:30 a.m. iHotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. 1st St. Contact: Andrew Flach, [email protected].

BENTON — Services for former U.S. Rep. Ken Gray, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitation; 4 p.m. funeral, Benton Civic Center. Contact: Parker-Reedy Funeral Home, (618) 932-6500.

Sunday, July 20

Monday, July 21

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

CHICAGO — “Safeguarding Our Cities” is the focus of the Chicago Water Summit sponsored by the Water Environment Federation and World Business Chicago, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The Mid-America Club, 200 E. Randolph Drive, 8th Floor. Contact Lori Harrison, (703) 216-8565, [email protected].

CHICAGO — Northern Illinois University football Chicago Media Day, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ditka’s, 100 E. Chestnut St. Contact: Donna Turner, (815) 753-9513, [email protected].

CHICAGO — Sen. Ira Silverstein, a Chicago Democrat, will have a town hall meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., North Park Village Apartments, 5801-H N. Pulaski Road. Contact Kevin Hahn, (217) 782-0977, [email protected].

Tuesday, July 22

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

LINCOLN — The Illinois Department of Transportation will have a public meeting regarding improvements between Lincoln and Auburn as part of the Illinois High-Speed Rail Program, 4 to 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 217 Limit St. Contact: Paris Ervin, (217) 782-5025, [email protected]

Wednesday, July 23

GENERAL EVENTS-CHICAGO

GENERAL EVENTS-STATE

MORTON GROVE — Sen. Ira Silverstein, a Chicago Democrat, will have a town hall meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Prairie View Community Center, 6834 Dempster St. Contact Kevin Hahn, (217) 782-0977, [email protected].

JOLIET — Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and Heartland Blood Centers host community blood drive. 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 121 N. Chicago St. Contact: Charles B. Pelkie, 815-727-8789 or 815-530-7110.

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The AP, Chicago