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Imani Muse took home the title of Miss Windy City 2023 on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Last year’s winner and current Miss Illinois, Monica Nia Jones, crowned Muse at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, Illinois.
“I am completely elated to be Miss Windy City 2023,” Muse told Chicago Southsider during a live interview after the pageant. “I’m celebrating my 10th anniversary of becoming Miss Chicago Outstanding Pre-Teen in 2013. It’s a full circle moment for me to be back here as a Miss.”
Muse is currently a student at The University of Alabama where she served as Miss Alabama Collegiate America. In 2021, she graduated with honors from Kenwood Academy High School on the south side of Chicago.
Muse will represent Windy City in the upcoming Miss Illinois pageant that will take place at the Marion Civic Center from June 6-10, 2023. During her reign, she will promote her social impact initiative, Small Acts Matter: Encouraging tangible Service, by volunteering at various community organizations in the city. In 2019, she made history as the first Black and plus-size Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen with the Miss America Organization.
Miss Chicago Competition Results
Elise O’Connell was crowned Miss Chicago 2023. She also walked away with the Jade Smalls Simmons Talent Award for her vocal performance.
“I’m completely honored and feeling really blessed,” Elise told Chicago Southsider during a live interview after the pageant. “I started as a Miss Illinois princess 15 years ago. To be here now and to be able to say that I am going to Miss Illinois is kind of crazy. I’m really excited to hit the ground running with my social impact initiative.”
2nd Runner Up: Marisa Miles
1st Runner Up: Mbayi Aben
Miss Cook County: Madelyn Steurer
Miss Gold Coast: Annie Kamps
Miss Windy City: Imani P. Muse
Miss Chicago: Elise O’Connell
Influencer Award: Annie Kamps
Entrepreneurship Award: Madelyn Steurer
Congeniality Award: Rihannon Graham
Director’s Award: Madelyn Steurer
People’s Choice: Melissa Garner Owens
Jade Smalls Simmons Talent Award: Elise O’Connell
Miss Cook County, Miss Gold Coast, Miss Windy City, and Miss Chicago are now qualified for Miss Illinois in June.
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