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Media Contact
Felicia R. Horton
(773) 821-4976
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago State University Student Organizations to Host
Third Illinois Gubernatorial Debate
(CHICAGO) – Chicago State University’s African-American Male Resource Center and the Latino Resource Center along with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. co-sponsor the Illinois Gubernatorial Debate with the Free & Equal Foundation on Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 7 until 9 p.m. in the Cordell Reed Student Union located at 9501 S. King Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
Free and Equal Elections Foundation has confirmed the attendance of five candidates that will be running for Governor of Illinois including Scott Lee Cohen (Independent), Lex Green (Libertarian Party), William “Doc” Walls III (Independent), Michael White (Constitution Party) and Rich Whitney (Green Party).
Governor Pat Quinn (Democratic Party) Bill Brady (Republican Party) have also been invited to participate, but neither candidate has responded. All invited candidates recently submitted petitions sufficient to qualify for the ballot if they did not qualify prior to the primary.
“The debate will serve as a teachable resource regarding events that are happening in society today,” said Ronald “Kwesi” R. Harris, director of African-American Male Resource Center. “This is an opportunity for students to see the practice of thinking on one’s feet and providing responses that are relevant and concise in the public arena.”
“This interactive discussion will give CSU students the opportunity to hear from many of the candidates running for Governor of Illinois so they can make a more complete and informed decision at election time,” said Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Polemarch, Jonte Reynolds.
Members of the surrounding communities are also encouraged to attend the debate. “This is a great opportunity for the CSU community and the south side of Chicago to learn about the issues that are critical in the upcoming election, said Fernando Diaz, associate director of the Latino Resource Center.
“Free & Equal is excited about giving Illinois voters this rare chance to hear from all the candidates,” said Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin.
Harris praises CSU students for their initiative. “I think to have an event such as this, organized by student leaders, is great,” he said “CSU students are showing concern and want to hear what candidates have to say. This event also gives students a contextual setting to learn outside of the classroom, providing them with a skill set of intuitive, intellect, sensitivity, and concern, while preparing them to operate within the real world.”
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Chicago State University was founded as a teacher training school in Blue Island, Illinois on September 2, 1867. Today, the University is a fully accredited public, urban institution located on 161-picturesque acres in a residential community on Chicago’s South side. CSU is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Illinois. The University’s five colleges—Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Pharmacy—offer 36 undergraduate and 25 graduate and professional degree-granting programs. CSU also offers an interdisciplinary Honors College for students in all areas of study and has a Division of Continuing Education and Nontraditional Degree Programs that offers extension courses, distance learning and not-for-credit programs to the entire Chicago community.
