Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch | SIU
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch | SIU
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch will kick off the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s Renewing Illinois Summit at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Thursday, Sept. 29.
During this year’s two-day summit, about 60 students from 10 Illinois colleges, community colleges and universities will learn about the careers of leading Illinois political figures and discuss the challenges facing the state. The summit’s theme is “One Illinois: Noble Aspiration or Impossible Dream?” Students will explore the question of state identity, regional tensions and a common agenda for Illinois.
“The Renewing Illinois Summit is a signature program of the Paul Simon Institute,” said John Shaw, institute director. “In organizing the summit, the institute is reaching out to a group whose views are too rarely sought or seriously considered when policymakers contemplate the future of Illinois: college students. The institute is especially interested in those who are already leaders on their campuses and envision public service for their futures. These are the people who will soon decide whether to settle in Illinois and revive our state or leave for what they perceive to be greener pastures.”
Welch is the first sitting Illinois House speaker to visit SIU Carbondale in nearly 20 years.
The summit will begin Thursday evening with a conversation between Welch and Shaw. They will discuss Welch’s career, Illinois politics and the 2022 campaign.
Renewing Illinois Summit
Thursday, Sept. 29
5:15 p.m. — SIU Student Center, Old Main Room: Opening remarks, John Shaw, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute director.
5:30 p.m. — Old Main Room: Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.
Friday, Sept. 30
8:30 a.m. — SIU Student Center, Ballroom B: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
9:45 a.m. — Ballroom B: Panel discussion featuring Shia Kapos, Politico reporter; Shruti Singh, Bloomberg News reporter; Jeff Rogers, Illinois Press Foundation executive director; Illinois Press Foundation; Jennifer Fuller, WSIU News.
11 a.m. — Erika Harold, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism executive director.
12:30 p.m. — Ray LaHood, former U.S. Department of Transportation secretary and former U.S. congressman from Illinois.
Media contact: Carol Greenlee, associate director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, 618-453-4001
Original source can be found here.
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