Lake County Gazette

Chicago’s Morning Answer host Dan Proft has weighed in on the cancellation of a “Poverty Simulation” event that was to be held at the Highland Park Country Club on Sept. 9.

“‘negative public misinformation’ = truth,” Proft said on X.

Proft’s comments were in response to a cancellation notice from the Alliance for Human Services after public push back on the event.

“Unfortunately, due to an overwhelming onslaught of negative public misinformation, the Poverty Simulation scheduled for 9/9 is cancelled. While we believe these types of events start community conversations that are crucial to combating poverty, the extensive social media response has overshadowed the event's purpose. We understand the decision to cancel this event and hope it will be rescheduled soon,” the Alliance for Human Services said in an email.

“The Poverty Simulation experience has been offered locally, nationally, and internationally since 2002. It is owned and licensed by the Missouri Community Action Network. The purpose is to: ‘Promote Poverty Awareness, Increase Understanding, Inspire Local Change, and Transform Perspectives.’”

The City of Highland Park also noted in an earlier post that the Poverty Simulation event had been cancelled.

“The September 9 Poverty Simulation event facilitated by the Alliance for Human Services has been canceled.”

The City of Highland Park had promoted the event.

“Participants in this immersive experience will begin to experience what a "month" in poverty feels like,” the City of Highland Park said in an announcement promoting the event.

“Participants are put into situations in which they do not have enough resources and are forced to make difficult choices that can negatively impact them and their families. The outcome is increased awareness of the need for resources to support those living in poverty to create a more resilient health, human, and education sector in our local area. Participation is free, but registration is required.”

Proft linked to Highland Park’s cancellation notice in another tweet.

“Cowards. Sunlight burns bloodsuckers,” Proft said on X.

The listing for the sold out event was also remove from Eventbrite’s website.



See the listing below.