The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC brought together civic leaders, elected officials, and business champions on April 16 for the 9th Annual PAC Advocacy Champion Award Reception—an evening dedicated to celebrating pro-business advocacy and recognizing those who lead the way. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2025 Advocacy Champion Award to Jay Stieber, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

Held annually, the reception serves as the primary fundraising event for the Chicagoland Chamber PAC, which supports candidates and policies that promote economic growth and business development in the region. But the reception is about more than policy: it is about honoring a figure whose career has helped shape Chicago’s hospitality and business community for decades.

“Jay is someone who has never shied away from doing what’s right, even when it’s not what’s easy,” said Jack Lavin, President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, in his opening remarks. “We are incredibly grateful for your insight, your dedication, and your courage. You are a true champion for our business community, and your leadership has made a real, tangible difference.”

Jay Stieber joined Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in 1995, bringing with him a wealth of experience in legal and strategic matters. As one of the company’s Executive Partners, Jay “spends the majority of his time dealing with issues involving strategic and tax planning, real estate, bank relations, investor relations and other legal matters. He has negotiated and been instrumental in most of Lettuce’s projects.”

But his leadership has extended far beyond the restaurant group. Jay is a former Chairman of the National Restaurant Association and the Illinois Restaurant Association, and he co-founded the Restaurant Law Center, where he served as the first Chairman. He also serves as a Trustee of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation and sits on the boards of both the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and its PAC.

Throughout his career, Jay has been a consistent voice for common-sense business regulations and pro-growth policies at the federal, state, and local levels. “In recent years, as we continue to be confronted with a number of anti-business policies from City Hall, Jay has been a leader in advocating against some of the most pressing issues we’ve faced,” said Lavin.

For his decades of service, his courage to lead on tough issues, and his unwavering belief in the potential of Chicago’s business community, Jay Stieber was honored as the 2025 PAC Business Advocacy Champion—a title well-earned, and richly deserved.

View the full photo gallery from the reception here.