News Releases

BMO Harris Bank Sponsors 10th Anniversary of Chicago Public Library's One Book, One Chicago
Sponsorship helps carry on Chicago tradition of reading
and learning together as a community - celebrates with 
classic Chicago novel

CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2011 – BMO Harris Bank announced today that it is a primary sponsor of the Chicago Public Library's 21st One Book, One Chicago program. This year's promoted book for fall 2011, revealed today at the Harold Washington Library Center, is The Adventur es of Augie March by Nobel-Prize-winning Chicago author Saul Bellow.

Twice annually since fall of 2001, a book has been selected and promoted to all of Chicago, highlighting the benefits of reading together as a community while book discussions take place in 79 library locations, as well as bookstores and cultural institutions throughout the city.

"Teaming up with the Chicago Public Library for this award-winning program has allowed us to combine our deeply rooted community efforts with the library's ongoing mission of encouraging lifelong learning throughout Chicago," said Mark Furlong, President and CEO of BMO Harris Bank. "One Book, One Chicago, which is one of the country’s most respected reading programs, aligns perfectly with our goal of promoting educational empowerment.”

This fall, BMO Harris Bank joined the Chicago Public Library in unveiling their 21st One Book, One Chicago selection, celebrating the event's 10th anniversary with a novel on the life and times of a young man growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression.

“Saul Bellow portrays the Chicago he knew through the eyes of Augie March - from the pool halls to the welfare lines, the downtown movie houses to the quiet parks,” explains Library Commissioner Mary A. Dempsey. “Augie moves from job to job, mentor to mentor, poor to wealthy and back again, meeting a vast array of unique and often hilarious characters. Perhaps most remarkable about this novel, however, is Bellow’s rich language.”

Founded by Mayor Richard M. Daley 10 years ago, One Book, One Chicago has become one of the most successful reading programs in the country, fostering a culture of reading throughout the city of Chicago.

“Saul Bellow’s The Adventures of Augie March is a quintessential Chicago novel and an excellent choice for the One Book, One Chicago, program which for 10 years has brought together families, neighborhoods, and our entire city around reading,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This fall , I encourage all Chicagoans to pick up a copy of The Adventures of Augie March and explore the seedier side of early 20th century Chicago.”

Several programs taking place throughout September and October, including a two-part Chicago Public Library branch book club series, will bring to life this year's One Book, One Chicago selection, exploring the rich literature and historical events within The Adventures of Augie March. Other events include a poster design contest, Chicago Flash Fiction Writing Contest and discussions with authors, historians and literature scholars.

"The Chicago Public Library brings Chicagoans together, providing them with a place to learn, read and discover," said Dave Casper, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank and member of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Board. "The library is part of the fabric of the city, and that is why BMO Harris Bank is so proud to be a part of this Chicago tradition as a primary sponsor of One Book, One Chicago."

For more information, please visit chicagopubliclibrary.org. 

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, the bank has approximately 700 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial institution with 1,600 branches, a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion, and combined U.S. businesses that rank as the 12th largest commercial bank, by assets, in the United States.

BMO Harris Bank is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Banking deposit a nd loan products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC-registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCMC) and BMO Capital Markets GKST, Inc. (GKST), a Municipal Bond Dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc. (Harris SBSB), an SEC registered investment advisor. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC (Harris myCFO), an SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors (Stoker Ostler) is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM) or its wholly-owned subsidiary HIM Monegy (Monegy), SEC-registered investment advisors. Products offered by HIS, HBIS, BMOCM, Harris SBSB, Harris myCFO, Stoker Ostler, HIM, and Monegy, which are affiliated companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of BMO Financial Corp.,: Are not insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, not a deposit of or guaranteed by any Bank or Bank Affiliate, may lose value. The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition to any bank loan or service. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

Jim Kappel (312) 461- 2478