READY FOR FIRST LOOK

Some traditions remain the same, which is the appeal. Others, evolve with the times and become better and more dazzling every year. Such is the case with the Chicago Auto Show, which this year is led by Hinsdale’s own Kelly Webb Roberts.

This mother of two has deep ties to the auto industry, where she began her career working with dealership clients after earning her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College and an MBA from Loyola. Her background in accounting and finance brought her back to Webb Auto Group. She has been President for 10 years, overseeing Chevrolet dealerships in Oak Lawn and Plainfield, Hyundai dealerships in Highland and Merrillville, Indiana, and a Genesis dealership in Merrillville, Indiana.

That’s an impressive full-time job and enough for most people, but Kelly is a bit of a trailblazer. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) for eight years, serving as Chairwoman of the Board in 2023-2024 and Chairwoman of the Chicago Auto Show in 2025.

Humble and focused, she doesn’t love to mention that she is the first woman to hold these roles, preferring the results to speak for themselves, but she is indeed the first.

“Kelly is the first Chairwoman of both the trade association (in 120 years) as well as the Chicago Auto Show (in 90 years). Her attention to detail is unparalleled, which, when combined with her analytic background, challenges us to raise the experience for every guest,” says Jennifer Morand, CATA President and Auto Show General Manager.

Jennifer is the first female President of the Association. “This is a unique opportunity in having two women leading the association and the auto show. I’m very proud and it shows the direction of the times,” she says. Both women acknowledge the support and camaraderie of their male colleagues and supporters.

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 117th edition of this winter doldrum-busting institution.

Held in McCormick Place, the show features multiple world and North American introductions and the complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and experimental and concept cars. It’s logical to think that the car brands bring this incredible event together. Yet since 1935, the CATA, which is the nation’s oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization, has produced the Chicago Auto Show.

As Chairwoman, Kelly is devoted to every attendee. A great deal of her focus is on making First Look for Charity the very best it can be. As one of Chicago’s largest one-day fundraisers, First Look raises close to $3 million dollars each year and has given more than $63 million to the charities it supports since its inception.

“First Look exists because of the Chicago Auto Dealers. Our trade associate and 400 dealers put on this night to give back to the 18 charities. It’s awesome for these organizations because they just need to sell the tickets. We do the planning and make sure everyone who attends enjoys themselves,” Kelly says, adding, “It’s a good date night in the dull month of February.”

Each Director picks a charity to support. Kelly’s is Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. This renowned institution has been extra special to the Roberts family since the incredible teams there healed her daughter, who was born with a heart defect.

Kelly mentions The Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer, which was founded by member Steve Napleton in honor of his daughter as a newer beneficiary of First Look.

“Whether you choose to support one of the charities with your full ticket purchase, or have your money split evenly between all the organizations. It’s meaningful support either way,” Kelly says.

“A cherry on top is the fact that we’re giving away two brandnew vehicles to two lucky attendees: a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV and a 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, compliments of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers and the Chicago and Northwest Hyundai Dealers,” Kelly added.

“Even if you’re already a supporter of one of the charities, why not maximize your donation and get a great evening out of it?” Jennifer adds, “Enjoy delicious bites spanning many types of cuisine and enjoy festive beverages. It’s a wonderful evening out doing a lot good for these organizations that support local individuals in need.”

Kelly adds, “A lot of people will be surprised by First Look for Charity. There’s food, live entertainment, and shiny new cars. All our indoor test tracks will be running as will the outdoor test drives. Come experience it all with shorter lines and a real sense of excitement.”

The Chicago Auto Show takes place February 8 – 17 at McCormick Place. First Look for Charity is February 7 from 7 – 11 p.m. Purchase tickets and designate your support at FirstLookforCharity.org.

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Benefiting Charities

Over the past 32 years, the Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for charity benefit has raised more than $63 million for local charities. This year, the money raised at first look will benefit these 18 local organizations.

100 CLUB OF ILLINOIS
The 100 Club of Illinois provides resources, several forms of financial support, access to training, and moral support to both the families of first responders killed in the line of duty and active duty first responders throughout the state of Illinois. All sworn federal, state, county and local first responders stationed in Illinois are included.

ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE
Advocate Health Care is the largest health system in Illinois and a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. One of the state’s largest private employers, the system serves patients across 11 hospitals, including two children’s campuses, and more than 250 sites of care.

ALS UNITED GREATER CHICAGO
ALS United Greater Chicago is on a mission is to unite the ALS community in our collaborative approach to foster bold research initiatives, advance national and state advocacy efforts, and provide comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS.

ANN & ROBERT H. LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a state of the art hospital that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO
Since 1902 Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago has provided a safe haven for children and teens during the most vulnerable part of their day: after school. BGCC’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

CAL’S ANGELS PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION
Cal’s Angels is a pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 in memory of Cal Sutter, a 12-year-old who lost his battle with leukemia in 2006. Cal’s kindness and generosity inspired the start of Cal’s Angels with a mission of granting wishes, raising awareness, and funding research to help kids fighting cancer.

FOLDS OF HONOR
Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military and first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school, and postgraduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program.

FRANCISCAN COMMUNITY BENEFIT SERVICES
Franciscan Community Benefit Services comprises St. Jude House and the Madonna Foundation. St. Jude House is a 40-bed shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their dependent children.

GLENWOOD ACADEMY
Founded in 1887 by Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, Glenwood Academy is a comprehensive residential education program for boys and girls. More than a school, Glenwood is a place where students can find counseling services, one-on-one tutoring, extracurricular activities, and community.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working throughout Chicagoland, across the United States and in 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

JESSE WHITE TUMBLING TEAM
The internationally renowned Jesse White Tumbling Team was created in 1959 to provide a positive alternative for at-risk, inner-city youth. Since its inception, more than 18,500 young people have benefitted from the program.

LYDIA HOME & SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN
For more than 100 years, Lydia Home has provided compassion and care to vulnerable children. Through residential foster care and foster care placements, Lydia brings hope, healing and home to children in need.

MISERICORDIA
Misericordia offers a community of care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. On its 35-acre Chicago campus, Misericordia provides a network of programs and services and a continuum of residential care for more than 600 individuals.

SERTOMA STAR SERVICES
Sertoma Star Services was established through a merger of New Star and Sertoma Centre, two agencies with rich histories of providing state-of-the-art services and programs for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and volunteers.

SUSAN G. KOMEN, CHICAGO
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit in the country, while providing real-time help to those facing the disease.

TURNING POINTE AUTISM FOUNDATION
Founded in 2007, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is a beacon of hope and excellence in the world of autism education. Itsmission is to transform the learning environment for children and young adults with autism, creating spaces where independence flourishes, communication thrives, and socially appropriate behaviors are nurtured.

VIOLET FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER
Brain cancer claims more lives of children than any other disease. The Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer seeks to change that. Violet Foundation is dedicated to funding critical research and supporting families whose child is being treated for a brain tumor.