Naper woman sings  with rock band Chicago

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Jeanne Bortolini (center) hangs out with members of the rock band Chicago, and her husband, Tom ( left of Jeanne). Bortolini won the chance to sing with Chicago last Saturday.  |  Courtesy of North Central College.

Updated: November 16, 2011 3:44PM

North Central College’s own Jeanne Bortolini, secretary at Oesterle Library and resident of Naperville, took the stage Saturday to sing vocals with the legendary rock and roll band Chicago.

“It was surreal. A dream come true that happens once in a lifetime,” she said.

It happened in Lantz Arena at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston as part of the band’s Sing with Chicago promotion that gives fans the chance to win a VIP fan experience and help raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer.

Through an online auction on eBay, benefiting the American Cancer Society, fans can bid to win a package that includes a meet-and-greet with the band, two premium tickets, backstage passes and the opportunity to sing the song “If You Leave Me Now” on stage with the band.

With the support of her co-workers, friends, family and church members, Jeanne placed the winning bid for the Oct. 8 show and got to perform before thousands.

“All the band members said I did a really good job and I got a standing ovation from the crowd, which I guess doesn’t happen very often. I’m used to performing in front of people and my initial nerves left after I started singing,” she said.

Jeanne is no stranger to the stage. She’s the lead vocalist for the Wright Street Band, which performs several times a month at various venues and fundraisers.

An alto, Jeanne says her band performs a wide repertoire, featuring music from the ‘70s — including Chicago’s “If You Leave MeNow” — and French, Cajun and dance tunes. In addition, Jeanne sings in her church choir and as a cantor at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Naperville.

“I’ve been a fan of Chicago since I was 16, when I had gone to my first Chicago concert. On Saturday, the band signed my posters from the 1970s and gave me a set of drumsticks signed by the drummer, guitar pics, an autographed CD and a nice souvenir — the set list with my name next to the song I sang,” she said.

Her motivation for pursuing this dream runs deeper than just the chance to sing with Chicago.

“It was a great opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer research. My best friend and mother are breast cancer survivors, so this cause means a lot to me. My band has performed fund-raising concerts for cancer research and I’ve walked in North Central’s annual Relay for Life, too,” she said.

Jeanne’s husband Tom, three sons and sister traveled along to hear her sing.