CHI-lebrities reveal their 2024 New Year’s resolutions

2024 is upon us and, as with everyone, it’s a time for reflection. The past year has been both good and bad, with the good winning out, fortunately. First off, I feel that every day we’re above ground is a good one so there’s that. Secondly, any day that my husband is happy and healthy is the best day of my life. Everything else is really just gravy.

I never like thinking like a pessimist, but our political situation just sucks, and I’ll leave it at that. I miss the days when political coverage was few and far between. Now I rarely watch television.

On a brighter note, Chicago has never seemed more vibrant. Mind you, I’m looking at this from a writer’s perspective and I’ve never found so much to cover than in this past year. It’s almost like everyone is trying to make up for lost time since Covid. The nonprofits are doing well, with many having record-breaking events. The pop-up experiences have never been more prevalent, it seems like there’s one on every corner now but I’m not complaining.

Chicago’s rich holiday offerings have included an abundance of twinkling lights, beautiful decor and a Santa in every store. And, even though Macy’s décor doesn’t come close to the days of Marshall Field’s, at least they’re still trying.

I gave up making resolutions years ago as I never seem to follow through, but I do have some goals I’m hoping to achieve. First and foremost, spend more time with Chuck. I find myself at my desk all day long and, sometimes into the night, and it’s not fair to him or me. So, that will change. I am also hoping to spend more time with friends. I’m ashamed of myself for having to turn down so many invites due to work- this will hopefully change too. I also want to begin a gratitude journal- thank you Oprah. It really seems to help put things in perspective. And lastly, I want to exercise more and eat less- no surprise there.

My friend and celebrity chef Jaime Laurita said it best, “I want to be more SELFish” and what he means by this is doing more things YOU want to do and not because you’re trying to make someone else happy. I’m looking forward to growing my following across social media and on my blog, Candid Candace, which I’m proud to say is the first and longest running lifestyle blog in Chicago. I’m also excited by the feedback my co-host John St. Augustine and I are getting on our podcast, “Candid Candace – The Podcast!” so I can’t wait to do more with that as well. And I certainly hope to continue to help grow Chicago Star Media as well as my other platforms.

I was curious as to what resolutions, hopes and dreams some CHI-lebrities/Chicago Stars might have for the coming year, so I quizzed them. Check out their thoughtful answers below!

Let’s start with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, who has been treasurer since 1998. Her connection with the people in Chicago is like no other. She is truly a politician who is looking out for us with her tax refunds to homeowners, ‘random acts of kindness,’ community outreach and so much more. Her hopes for 2024 are:

1)  That no one I love dies.

2)  That Mayor Brandon Johnson gets his act together.

3)  That the happy people in the mountains of Greece never come to know the evils of city living.

The Joffrey Ballet’s Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE, who has been in this position since 2007, has brought this award-winning company to ever greater heights. His New Year’s resolutions include:

1)  Giving more time to my family.

2)  Finding peace, understanding and tolerance across the world.

3)  Take care of The Joffrey Ballet and our exciting year ahead, both here in Chicago, across the U.S. and beyond.

Celebrity Chef Jaime Laurita has been a force since he first started cooking for stars like Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Aerosmith, to name a few. He is one of 11 kids born into a proud working-class Italian family. His sister, Caroline Manzo, was a Real Housewife of New Jersey. He and his husband Rich Lane were even married on the show. Here are his resolutions and hopes for a New Year:

1)   Practice putting myself in other people’s shoes to become even more giving.

2)   Mentor more children.

3)   Become more SELFish and allow me to love myself more.

4)   My hopes for 2024 are that the city of Chicago can get a handle on crime and the migrant situation. I’m praying that the world can come together politically.

Giordano Dance Chicago’s Artistic Director Nan Giordano has led this amazing jazz dance company since her father, the legendary choreographer Gus Giordano, passed away in 2008. GDC, now in its 61^st season, boasts a half century of worldwide performances (28 countries, 47 states and more than 1300 cities).  Nan has much to be grateful for as her son Keenan recently married the love of his life, Sophie Casey. But besides this happy news, she also hopes for:

1)   In our splintered world of conflict and turmoil, I want to focus on pushing harder to radiate energy, beauty, and unity into the world through dance.

2)   I also want to celebrate every day as a gift, full of positivity, kindness and love.

3)   And lastly, I am committed to writing it all down every day in my beautiful new journal gifted to me by a dear friend. I have much to be grateful for.

4)   For 2024, I hope the world finds balance and embraces all, despite differences. I hope everyone can lead with their hearts - not hatred, destruction and violence.

Leslie Zemeckis, who along with her filmmaker husband and Chicago native Robert Zemeckis, are only part time Chicagoans, splitting their adventures between Montecito, Tuscany, Palm Springs, Chicago and other exotic locales. She is an amazing filmmaker, award-winning documentarian, actress, author and avid animal-lover. (This year, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her work telling women's stories and promoting female authors.) She shares:

1)   Generally, I don’t make resolutions but instead goals. In 2024, I intend to reach more people and share the power of stories, especially through my book      recommendations. I intend to grow my mentoring program “Stories Matter” (professional female writers mentoring the next generation of female storytellers).

2)  I intend to spread the word and worth about pigs. Having rescued several, I hope to share their intelligence and charm so people would stop eating them.

3)  My hopes for 2024 are for more adventure, laughter and learning new things and to connect with more like-minded folks! Blessings to everyone for a grand 2024!

Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham was appointed to the bench by the Supreme Court to replace then-retiring Justice Anne Burke in Dec. 2022. She will run for this position in March 2024 (and has my vote). Justice Cunningham has served at all levels of the judiciary in the State of Illinois and has consistently received high marks in performing her duties as judge. She was elected president of the Chicago Bar Assoc. where she became the first Black woman to lead the nation’s largest municipal bar association. Her four New Year’s Eve resolutions are:

1)  I plan to get back to my routine of focusing on physical fitness including jogging and exercising 5 times per week.

2)  I also plan on continuing to do at least one community outreach activity per month in my role as Supreme Court Justice in an ongoing effort to bring transparency to the function of the Supreme Court and the judiciary in general.

3)  Expand my mentoring program for new lawyers.

4)  I’m motivated to declutter my home in response to an uptick in need by not-for-profit organizations for donations.

One of her most fervent hopes for 2024 is “that the voters of Cook County recognize my dedication and commitment as a Supreme Court Justice and vote to keep me on the court.” She also hopes for a “significant reduction in gun violence and car jackings in our beautiful city and an end to the wars between Russia and Ukraine, Hamas and Israel.”

Lisa Fielding is an award-winning anchor and reporter for Newsradio 780. She brings three decades of news and sports, radio and television experience to WBBM. She is also an adjunct professor at Medill School of Journalism and the host of the podcast "Backstage Chicago with Lisa Fielding." She is a talented storyteller and my go-to for afternoon enjoyment. Her resolutions include:

1)  Cook at home more. I need more veggies. I hope a new air fryer will do the trick. Who wants to come over for dinner?

2)  Get organized. Have you seen my closets? 2024 is the year I hope to declutter and purge a bit.

3)  Work less. Play more. You know the saying. (I don’t need much willpower for this one)

4)    Don’t waste time on people who don’t reciprocate your love, effort and energy.

Jon Jay Harris, the award-winning Executive Vice President and Chief Communications & Networking Officer for Conagra Brands (and a great musician!) has some wonderful and timely advice for “protecting your peace” in 2024. (Follow him on Instagram for more motivational messaging (@jonjayharris).

1)  It’s okay to cancel a commitment.

2)  It’s okay to not take a call.

3)  It’s okay to change your mind.

4)  It’s okay to take a day off.

5)  It’s okay to speak up.

6)  It’s okay to be alone.

7)  It’s okay to let go.

8)  It’s okay to say no.

John St. Augustine is an award-winning talk radio host and producer, best-selling author, internationally known speaker and so much more. He has been called the “Voice of America” by veteran broadcaster Bill Kurtis. He helped create and launch the “Oprah & Friends” XM Satellite Radio network and was the Executive Producer of “The Dr. Oz Show.” I’m also lucky to have him as the co-host/producer of “Candid Candace – The Podcast.”  During the course of his long career, he befriended the late John Denver (who was one of his mentors), delivered Ted Talks and, in his recent adventure, authored a book about the great Chicago Cubs catcher Randy Hundley, “Ironman,” that is getting rave reviews. Here are his simple, yet eloquent suggestions for 2024.

1) Don't make New Year's resolutions-make New Day resolutions. Every morning you wake up is like winning the lottery of life. Spend your winnings wisely, as tomorrow is promised to none of us

2)   Remember that your lifelines are more important than the headlines. Go within and you'll never go without.

3)  Sleep when you are tired, eat when you are hungry, and laugh more, worry less.

And last but not least, man-about-town, beloved philanthropist and Manager at Chicago Financial Services,  Mark Olley,  shared some great advice (“rules of life”) that he said his dog Grayson found on the internet!

This is it for now, I hope some of these wonderful bits of inspiration motivate you to be your best self in the coming year. I know I feel more enlightened just by sharing them. Have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.

(All photos courtesy of the participants)