Jackson and Banks 2009 Gala
Many celebrities came to Washington for state society events during the Inauguration of President Obama in Jan. 2009. Here at the Illinois State Society Gala, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) at left greets baseball legend Ernie Banks at right. Banks played 18 seasons for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Ernie Banks was also himself honored with the society's Outstanding Illinoisan Award at the Inaugural Gala in 2001 based on his years in Chicago even though he is a native of Texas.