@gimmehummus - Actually the local SCBWI Illustrators network meetings are open to the public. I am a member but I just confirmed this with the two ladies who run this chapter and they asked me to please extend an invitation for you to join in future meetings.
You can find some details on the following page: http://illinois.scbwi.org/illinois-networks/
The Chicago-Area Illustrators Network has meetings on one Saturday a month up at the Des Plaines public library.
I started going to them just about two years ago and I really LOVE it. I have met some really great people and learned all kinds of things. Each month they cover a different topic, or have a guest speaker etc. And there is time available at the end of each meeting to allow for critiques of projects/portfolios whatever anyone attending wants to share.
They have not yet posted the dates for Jan/Feb/March but they will get added to the site I sent the link too. I believe the one in January is going to be on the 16th (they usually run from 9:30-Noon) but I can send you an update/confirmation on that as soon as they send the details out to the group.
Rich
@Rich-Green Awesome! Glad I asked about it. Thank you!
www.lydiamueller.com
Twitter @lydesigns
This is lovely 
@gimmehummus said:
Big fluffy purple clouds over Shorewood, IL as I got on Rt 80 this afternoon.
@gimmehummus - they just sent out the following info for the upcoming meetings of the SCBWI Chicago Area Illustrators Network!
Jan 23, 9:30-Noon: Tricks and Techniques. Have you found an art supply or digital trick that you can’t live without? Come share it with your illustrator friends and expand our collective wisdom. Whether it’s a pen, paper, paint, or Photoshop filter, curious minds want to know! Mini-demos would be much appreciated. For digital artists, we’ll have a Mac loaded with Photoshop and Illustrator & projector available.
Feb 20, noon - 2:30pm (note time change): Art Director, Jordan Kost, Jordan Kost, art director at Albert Whitman will be on board to discuss the process of publishing children’s books. Come for what’s sure to be an enlightening look into how books are made at Albert Whitman, and what an illustrator brings to the table.
March 26 - TBA
@gimmehummus You know, I hadn't even considered it, or knew something like that existed. Pretty cool idea, though. I'll have to think more about it.
@Rich-Green Yes, so surprising. I just recently happened upon SVS after searching for videos on YouTube regarding illustration, started watching Will Terry's stuff, came here, and was amazed to see somewhere near the Illini Valley referenced in maybe the third post I read. I grew up in Marseilles, but have lived lots of different places in IL. Charleston, Champaign, Chicago, DeKalb, Aurora. Haha. I've never lived in Joliet, but close 
@gimmehummus This empress is actually really cute. I love the colors. She is opulent, yet tribal all the same. The style is very appealing. If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to develop it more with future illustrations.
Thank you @Pixby. I really love pastels so I think I'll keep working with it.
Merry Christmas!
I'd like to do a little drawing every day. Piper Thibodeau does a daily paint on twitter so I thought I'd give it a shot.
That is really cute! Love the texture in it too...
The job search has me feeling like...
Hang in there. Become good enough at something, and someone will pay you to do it. Simple equation, but oh so true.
Been working on character sketches for a book I'm illustrating. It's a poem about fairies sending one of their own to live with a human family. The human father is a doctor.
Great work!
I think this one is my favorite for now!
@gimmehummus Absolutely brilliant stuff you have posted here. The texture gives each illustration a more traditional feel, a bit different than most of the other illustrations I've seen on your portfolio website. I personally prefer the style of ones posted here.
Thank you @TamaraDomuzin . I have been working only in digital pastels lately, trying to build that style. I'm working on a book right now so I'll be able to refresh that portfolio in a couple weeks. I saw your page on Behance and it's so adorable! I love your characters 
The fairies are so cute!
@Rich-Green Yes, so surprising. I just recently happened upon SVS after searching for videos on YouTube regarding illustration, started watching Will Terry's stuff, came here, and was amazed to see somewhere near the Illini Valley referenced in maybe the third post I read. I grew up in Marseilles, but have lived lots of different places in IL. Charleston, Champaign, Chicago, DeKalb, Aurora. Haha. I've never lived in Joliet, but close
