Democratic Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and Republican Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka address housing, transportation, school funding, and sensible growth in 30-minute segments
(Chicago)…..
With
Nov. 7 one month
away, and opportunities to hear the candidates talk about the issues – rather than
each other – rare,
Comcast
customers can access the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) 2006
gubernatorial candidate forums in their entirety through Election Day by using
Comcast’s ON DEMAND feature.
The Council
hosted Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich at Chase
Auditorium in Chicago on Sept. 7, and Republican candidate Judy Baar Topinka at
the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Aug. 7, providing each with a forum to explain
their plans to increase housing options, ease traffic congestion, invest in
northeastern Illinois’ transportation network, improve schools, and inspire
sensible growth. Comcast was media sponsor of both events.
“As
Chicagoland continues to grow, voters are calling on all candidates for state
and local office to come prepared with solutions to the regional growing pains
affecting all of us,” said Joseph Stackhouse, senior vice president for Comcast
and an MPC executive advisor. “Comcast is proud to help educate voters during
this election year by bringing them the Metropolitan Planning Council’s 2006
gubernatorial candidate forums.”
At the forums, Gov. Blagojevich and Treasurer Topinka responded to three
questions provided by MPC in advance. Craig Dellimore, political editor for WBBM
Newsradio-780 AM, moderated both events. Each candidate made groundbreaking
remarks on key issues integral to creating healthy communities, including school
funding and property tax reform; a new state capital plan to invest in roads,
bridges, schools, and public transit; the need to connect jobs and affordable
homes to reliable, safe, and convenient transportation options; and the state's
role in stimulating innovative local community planning.
Comcast Digital Cable customers can access the candidate
forum content ON DEMAND, now through Election Day. Customers should access ON
DEMAND via their remotes or by tuning to channel 1, and then choosing the "Get
Local" folder and "DECISION 2006." MPC also has posted excerpts from both candidates’ remarks on
its Web site.
For more information, contact Mandy Burrell, MPC communications
associate, at 312-863-6018 or mburrell@metroplanning.org;
or Angelynne S. Amores, Comcast media relations director, at 847-489-6296 or
as_amores@cable.comcast.com.