Chicago State University Hosts Successful Gubernatorial Debate

CHICAGO – Chicago State University hosted a debate for Illinois gubernatorial candidates Thursday, July 8, 2010, in the Cordell Reed Student Union. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the African-American Male Resource Center and the Latino Resource Center at Chicago State University were co-sponsors of the debate.

This was the third debate for Illinois governor arranged by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation this year. A video of the debate is available in its entirety is at www.freeandequal.org.

While all seven of the candidates for Illinois governor were invited to participate in the debate, only the five third party candidates accepted the challenge, including: William “Doc” Walls III (Independent), Michael White (Constitution Party), Rich Whitney (Green Party), Scott Lee Cohen (Independent) and Lex Green (Libertarian Party). Incumbent, Gov. Pat Quinn (Democratic Party) and State Sen. Bill Brady (Republican Party) declined the invitation.

“Chicago State University went above and beyond to make this debate a success,” said Christina Tobin, founder of Free & Equal Elections Foundation. “We truly appreciate them opening up this fine facility for the people of Illinois to hear important political voices.”

“The student groups involved deserve respect for their initiative and volunteer work putting this debate together,” Tobin added. “Thanks to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the African-American Male Resource Center and the Latino Resource Center more people will be encouraged to participate in our political process.”

Media and information outlets across the state of Illinois helped announce the debate and provided coverage after the debate to educate their audience about their choices in November. Public radio stations WBEZ in Chicago, WSIU in Carbondale, and WILL in Champaign all provided debate stories along with the Chicago Sun-Times, SouthtownStar, Huffington Post, Dekalb Daily-Chronicle, Chicagoist, and the Chicago Tribune Media Group’s ChicagoNow.

“The response to the debate from people in attendance and from those watching at home on their computers has been tremendous,” Tobin said. “There is a hunger out there for more discussion and debate about the substantive issues that we all face. Free & Equal will be looking to provide Illinois voters with more opportunities to learn about their political choices. The issues being discussed in the U.S. Senate race in Illinois could certainly use an intellectual boost and that is something our supporters have asked us to look at.”

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