The Heartland Institute’s 42nd Anniversary Benefit Dinner brought together some of the biggest names in the free-market and liberty movement for a night of stories, awards, and hard truths about climate policy, COVID lockdowns, and the fight for limited government.
Recorded live at the Palmer House in Chicago on September 3, 2026, the evening was headlined by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who accepted the Heartland Liberty Prize and took audience questions on everything from a possible 2028 run to how he’d fix a state like Illinois.
Also on the program:
- Heartland President James Taylor telling the inside story of how DeSantis saved the “free state of Florida” from an establishment takeover
- Libertarian author and podcaster Tom Woods breaking down the official COVID narrative with the data that contradicted it
- Actor Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) accepting the Champion of Freedom Award while reflecting on his near-fatal stroke, his faith, and being blacklisted by Hollywood.
Timestamps:
0:00 Program begins
6:08 Welcome from Danielle Carl
9:42 James Taylor: how DeSantis saved the “free state of Florida”
21:10 Young Americans for Liberty with Daniel Taylor
27:10 Tom Woods on the COVID lockdown narrative
43:01 Jim Lakely introduces Kevin Sorbo
45:04 Kevin Sorbo speaks
1:08:12 Steve Milloy introduces Governor Ron DeSantis
1:13:36 Governor Ron DeSantis’ keynote address
1:43:04 Heartland Liberty Prize presentation
1:46:26 Audience Q&A with Governor DeSantis
2:04:05 Closing remarks and sponsor recognition
Jim Lakely is the Vice President and Director of Communications of The Heartland Institute.
Danielle Carl serves as Special Advisor to the President of The Heartland Institute.
