Lecture series to examine Chicago, Cook County government

Eight presentations are slated for the University of Illinois at Chicago’s annual “Future of Chicago” lecture series, which brings civic leaders to campus to examine issues with students and the community.

Topics focus on the social, economic, and political conditions of the Chicago metropolitan region. Former Chicago alderman Dick Simpson, UIC professor of political science, moderates the series, hosted by the UIC department of political science since 1976. Series co-sponsors are UIC Honors College Leadership Series, UIC Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, and the UIC Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, lectures are from noon to 12:50 p.m. in Science and Engineering South, Room 230, 845 W. Taylor St. For more information call (312) 413-3780.

Additional presenters will be announced later. Scheduled lectures include:

Sept. 25
“The Chicago City Council and the Future of Chicago”
Edward Burke, 14th Ward alderman

Sept. 30
“Homelessness in Chicago”
Hannah Willage, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Oct. 9
“Corruption in Chicago”
Joe Ferguson, City of Chicago inspector general

Oct. 18
“Reform of Cook County Government”
Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board president

Oct. 21
“Planning the Future of the Metropolitan Region”
Randy Blankenhorn, executive director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Oct. 23
“Corruption in Chicago”
James Laski, former Chicago city clerk and alderman

Nov. 4
“First Son”
Keith Koeneman, author of “First Son: The Biography of Richard M. Daley”

Nov. 6
“The Future of Illinois”
Jim Edgar, former Illinois governor

Nov. 13
“Public Space in Chicago”
Erma Trantor, executive director, Friends of the Parks