As the Horserace Officially Begins, Metropolitan Planning Council Will Put the Focus on Top Election-Year Issues at December Briefing

Council to offer background, perspective on topics gaining traction with voters and candidates, such as school funding reform, water quality and quantity, transportation priorities, affordable housing, and eminent domain

December 6, 2005

(Chicago) … Reporters are invited to attend the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) lunchtime media briefing, which will set the scene for issues topping voters’ minds heading into the 2006 election season. On the tail of the Friday, Dec. 16 candidate filing deadline – the official start to the election season – the briefing will take place Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, noon to 1:30 p.m., at MPC offices, 25 E. Washington St., Suite 1600, Chicago.

With so much on the line in 2006 – including the governor’s office, two-thirds of the state Senate, and the entire House of Representatives – many Illinois voters will turn to local newspapers, radio and TV stations to help them decide which candidates deserve their votes. At the Dec. 19 media briefing, MPC senior staff members will offer insight into issues certain to make headlines during the upcoming election season. For instance, they’ll discuss how candidates are likely to address statewide school funding reform, as well as Illinois’ increasing focus on water quality and quantity. Other topics to be covered include affordable housing, transportation priorities, and eminent domain. Staff will present background and forecasts for each issue, and provide their perspectives on how media can elicit revealing answers from candidates on these critical matters.

Founded in 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development policies necessary for an economically competitive Chicago region.

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What:
Media briefing, hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), to set the scene for issues topping voters’ minds as we head into the 2006 election season.

Who:
MarySue Barrett, MPC President
Bindu Batchu, A+ Illinois Campaign Manager
Scott Goldstein, MPC Vice President of Policy and Planning
Peter J. Skosey, MPC Vice President of External Relations
Robin Snyderman, MPC Housing Director

When:
Monday, Dec. 19, 2005
Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Where:
Metropolitan Planning Council, 25 E. Washington St., Suite 1600, Chicago

All media are welcome to attend free of charge. Lunch will be provided. Please register by contacting Mandy Burrell at 312-863-6018 or mburrell@metroplanning.org .