MPC to recognize Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s GO TO 2040 with Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning, and retired ComEd CEO Frank Clark with Jean Allard Regional Trailblazer Award
CHICAGO— Mayors Tom Barrett of Milwaukee, Wis., Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, and Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Ind., will discuss their cities’ strategies for economic recovery and the potential for closer cooperation and planning at the mega-regional scale, at the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) 2012 Annual Luncheon, “The Cities That Work,” Wednesday, July 25, 2012, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr., Regency Ballroom, Chicago.
“Chicago, Gary and Milwaukee each have distinct strengths and challenges, but these Great Lakes cities also share mutual assets, such as Lake Michigan, a shared workforce, interdependent economic sectors, and a complex transportation network,” said MPC President MarySue Barrett. “By identifying and working together on a few key priorities, Mayors Barrett, Emanuel, and Freeman-Wilson can improve the entire mega-region’s prosperity and resiliency.”
MPC also will present two awards at the luncheon, the Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning and the Jean Allard Regional Trailblazer Award. The Burnham Award, accompanied by a $5,000 prize sponsored by PNC Bank, will recognize the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) for the creation and implementation of GO TO 2040, northeastern Illinois’ first long-term regional plan since the Burnham Plan of 1909. For his outstanding contributions to the Chicago region, Frank Clark, retired CEO of ComEd, will receive the Jean Allard Regional Trailblazer Award, named in honor of MPC’s immediate past president, Jean Allard, who served the organization from 1990 to 1995. Allard passed away in January 2012.
PNC Bank is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 MPC Annual Luncheon and sponsor of the 2012 Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning. Allstate Insurance Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, The Crown Family, The Harris Family Foundation, and Walgreens are Co-Chair Sponsors of the luncheon. Benefactors of the event are Cole Taylor Bank, ComEd, An Exelon Company, McDonald’s Corporation, Northern Trust, John S. Gates, BNSF Railway, CSX, Union Pacific, and Wintrust Commercial Bank.
WHAT: “The Cities that Work,” Metropolitan Planning Council 2012 Annual Luncheon
WHO:
Keynote speakers:
Mayor Tom Barrett, City of Milwaukee, Wis.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, City of Gary, Ind.
Awardees:
Mayor Gerald R. Bennett, City of Palos Hills
Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Frank Clark, CEO, Commonwealth Edison (retired)
Presenters:
MarySue Barrett, President, Metropolitan Planning Council
Dr. Byron Brazier, Pastor, Apostolic Church of God
Joseph A. Gregoire, Regional President, Illinois Banking, PNC, Presenting Sponsor, MPC 2012 Annual Luncheon; Member, MPC Board of Governors
King Harris, Chair, Metropolitan Planning Council Board of Governors; Chairman, Harris Holdings, Inc.
Jesse Ruiz, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr.,Regency Ballroom, West Tower, Chicago
WHEN:
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Reception: Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Luncheon and Program: 12:30 to 2 p.m.
HOW TO REGISTER: Guests may register at www.metroplanning.org/luncheon.
Media are welcome to attend at no cost but must register in advance with MPC Communications Director Mandy Burrell Booth, mburrell@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6018.