Louise Lincoln, who served as director of the DePaul University Art Museum from 1997 to 2014, passed away last Sunday, leaving behind a significant legacy in Chicago’s cultural landscape. Over nearly two decades, Lincoln transformed the museum from a small gallery in a basement into a prominent institution known for its diverse collection and engaging exhibitions. Despite working with limited financial resources, she organized more than 100 exhibitions that highlighted both local Chicago artists and international works spanning various historical periods.
Lincoln’s tenure was marked by strong support from DePaul University’s administration and faculty, who recognized the value of the arts in higher education and society. She collaborated closely with professors across multiple departments to align museum exhibits with academic programs. Her leadership culminated in the creation of a new museum building that enhanced the gallery’s visibility and appeal. Lincoln retired due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a decision she found difficult but necessary to ensure the museum would continue to thrive under new leadership.
The museum’s future, however, has been cast into uncertainty following DePaul University’s recent announcement to close the facility. Bruce Lincoln, Louise’s husband, expressed profound sorrow over the closure, describing it as not only a personal loss but also a setback for the university, its students and faculty, and Chicago’s broader arts community.
In a related reflection on health and social support, Vanessa M. Oddo, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago and member of its Cancer Center, has drawn attention to the economic challenges faced by cancer survivors. Using her sister’s experience undergoing intensive breast cancer treatment as an example, Oddo highlights the widespread issue of “financial toxicity” — the significant economic burden associated with cancer care.
According to Oddo, approximately 17% of working-age cancer survivors experience moderate to severe food insecurity, which can undermine treatment adherence and overall health outcomes. Food insecurity often forces affected individuals to rely on low-cost, processed foods that may conflict with medical dietary recommendations. Furthermore, those facing such challenges are more likely to skip medications or necessary care due to costs.
Oddo advocates for expanded and simplified access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), noting that recent policy changes in Illinois, including stricter work requirements, have led to nearly 350,000 residents losing benefits, even among those undergoing intensive treatments like chemotherapy. Medical exemptions exist but require timely and complex paperwork, adding burdens to patients already managing severe health conditions.
She calls for comprehensive screening for food insecurity at cancer treatment centers and urges healthcare systems and insurers to incorporate nutritional support into patient care. Oddo also recommends that states implement automatic SNAP exemptions for individuals actively receiving cancer treatment to reduce barriers to essential food assistance.
Both the loss of a key cultural institution and the challenges faced by cancer patients underscore broader discussions about community support and institutional responsibility in Chicago and beyond.