THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED ON MAY 26, 2009. WE EXPECT TO RESCHEDULE AT A LATER DATE.

IGPA, in coordination with the Union League Club of Chicago and the University of Illinois campuses in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign, will hold a half-day conference, titled "LIncoln's Illinois Today," on Wednesday, May 27 at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., in Chicago.

The conference will look at the state of education in Illinois today and how that situation compares to Abraham Lincoln's vision for education. Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which created the land-grant college and university system. 

Moderators for the two panel discussions are Tim Shanahan, Professor of Urban Education, Director Center for Literacy, University of Illinois at Chicago; and Robin Steans, Executive Director of Advance Illinois.

The first panel, from 9-10:20 a.m., will focus on the Morrill Act, and the state of K-12 and higher education today. Panelists include Tom Schwartz, Illinois State Historian; Jill Hawk, Superintendent for Community High School District 155, Crystal Lake; and Judy Erwin, Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The panel moderator will be Tim Shanahan, Professor of Urban Education, Director Center for Literacy, University of Illinois at Chicago.

The second panel will convene at 10:30 a.m. and will concentrate on the role education plays in today's society. Panelists include R. Eden Martin, President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago; Greg Baise, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association; and Jim Edgar, Former Illinois Governor and IGPA Distinguished Fellow. This panel will be moderated by Robin Steans, the Executive Director of Advance Illinois, an initiative to develop a long-term, student-focused vision of educational reform in the state.

The conference is scheduled to conclude at noon. Register for the conference.