We are excited to announce the dates and location of the 189th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. Like last year, the convention will be a two-day, hybrid event and will be conducted in two parts.
Part 1 will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 pm.
Part 2 will take place on Saturday, November 14, 9 am-4:30 pm, at Cliffbreakers Event Center in Rockford.
By returning for a second year at the same venue, we aim to continue refining the in-person event experience using feedback gathered after last year’s convention.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Please mark your calendars and plan accordingly, noting that several deadlines and timelines have moved earlier than in previous years. Registration links and additional details will be provided soon.
Mid July, 2026:
- Registration & certification opens
- Call for nominations
- Call for resolutions
- Call for reports
- Call for volunteers
- Call for necrology submissions
Friday, September 11, 2026:
- Nominations due
- Resolutions due
- Reports due
All Souls Day, Monday, November 2:
- Necrology submissions due
Pre-Convention and Convention Events:
- Resolutions hearing (virtual) : Monday, November 2, 2026, 7-8:30 pm
- Voting practice (virtual) : Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 12-1 pm
- Budget preview (virtual): Tuesday, November 3, 7-8:30 pm
- Meet the candidates meeting (virtual) : Saturday, November 7, 10-11:30 am
- Virtual convention gathering: Tuesday, November 10, 6:30-9 pm
- In-person convention gathering: Saturday, November 14, 9 am-4 pm
Diocesan Convention FAQ
When is diocesan convention? 
The 2026 diocesan convention will be conducted in two parts. Part 1 will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 pm. It will run approximately 2.5 hours. Part 2 will be held Saturday, November 14, 9 am-4:30 pm, at Cliffbreakers Event Center, 700 W Riverside Blvd, Rockford, IL 61103.
Why two parts, and why meet in person?
Through the strategic planning process, we heard a resounding call for an in-person convention. Responses to the post-convention survey from 2025 reiterated the value of gathering in person for this event and supported a two-part hybrid structure. We will once again divide the convention between activities that can be conducted online and those which lend themselves to an in-person gathering
Why return to Cliffbreakers Event Center?
Due to the size of our group and our budget, we chose to return to Cliffbreakers this year. Several other venues were considered and ruled out due to location, capacity, or budget limitations. Returning to the same venue two years in a row will allow us to refine the event experience for attendees. Cliffbreakers is within about a two-hour drive for most of the diocese, making it convenient for more members of the diocese.
What changes will be made to convention based on feedback gathered at last year’s event?
We will choose a different lunch menu and request additional meal stations to shorten the lines for the buffet stations. We will work to improve the organization of the liturgy as many remarked that the flow for distribution of Communion was confusing. More adjustments will be made as event planning continues!
How can I register? What are the registration costs? How can I certify my parish’s delegates?
More details about registration, registration fees, and delegate certification will become available in the weeks to come.
What if our parish cannot afford to send delegates to the in-person portion of convention?
We don’t want funds to be a barrier to any member of convention (lay delegate or canonically resident clergy) attending. Limited scholarships are available by contacting Graicey Van Spankeren.
Will there be an exhibit hall? 
No. Cliffbreakers is a smaller venue with narrow hallways that don’t accommodate an exhibit hall or information tables.
Will time and space be allotted for designated gatherings, e.g. breakfasts and lunches?
A generous 90-minute time window is allocated for lunch and socializing, but no additional gatherings or cohort meetings are planned. All business and meals will take place in the ballrooms at Cliffbreakers.
Will there be a children’s program?
Yes, onsite programming will be provided for children whose parents are in attendance at the convention. If you have interest in volunteering for the creation or staffing of a program, please be in touch with Graicey Van Spankeren.
Will there be programming for high schoolers and youth delegates? 
Yes, a program for high schoolers and youth delegates will be provided. More information to come.
Are overnight accommodations available?
A block of rooms in the adjacent Riverview Inn and Suites has been set aside. A reservation link will be available in the coming weeks.
Draft Schedule
Tuesday, November 10:
- 4:30 pm: Online check-in opens
- 6:30 pm: Convention convenes for business
- 9 pm: Convention recesses
Saturday, November 14:
- 7 am: Check-in begins
- 9 am: Eucharist
- 10:30 am: Convention reconvenes for business
- 12 pm: Lunch
- 1:30-4:30 pm: Convention business continues
- 4:30 pm: Convention adjourns
*This is a preliminary schedule and should be considered subject to change.