Chicago's Italian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) presented Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Riccardo Muti with a Lifetime Achievement award during a gala event at the Art Institute of Chicago's Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room on Wednesday night. The IACC was founded in 1907 to support the Italian business community and American businesses specializing in Italian products.

During the gala, Second Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti read a Chicago City Council declaration of congratulations which described highlights and special associations throughout Muti's career. Adriano Monti, the Consul General of Italy, joined IACC president Mauro Galli in presenting the Lifetime Achievement award to Muti in honor of the conductor's distinguished work and unparalleled contributions to music, culture, art, and beauty.

During his acceptance speech, Muti described how the power of music can bring people together in a way which words are often not able to do. He shared personal experiences of performances he has conducted in places around the world in need of healing and comfort; he also reemphasized his promise to make music accessible to all of Chicago's citizens. In closing, Muti invited everyone at the gala to attend a CSO concert to experience firsthand the life-enhancing power of music.