State Politics and Policy Conference begins with roundtable featuring former governors

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield will host the 10th annual State Politics and Policy Conference (SPPC) for the first time in Illinois. An opening reception and roundtable featuring former governors from four different states will kick-off the conference.

WHEN: Thursday, June 3 with guests arriving at 7 p.m. and the roundtable discussion taking place from 8 to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Hall of Representatives at the Old State Capitol in downtown Springfield

DETAILS: Former Governors Jim Edgar (R) of Illinois (1991-1999), Madeleine Kunin (D) of Vermont (1985-1991), Parris Glendening (D) of Maryland (1995-2003), and Bob Taft (R) of Ohio (1999-2007) will take part in the discussion; Dr. Robert Rich, director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, will moderate. Media may arrive starting at 7 p.m. for individual interviews before the event. This event is free and open to the public.

On Friday, June 4 the SPPC will host a banquet in the rotunda of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Alan Ehrenhalt, Director of Information for the Pew Center on the States will be speaking on the topic of “Governors: Success and Failure”. A reception begins at 6 p.m. and Ehrenhalt will take the stage at 8 p.m. The banquet is only open to conference registrants. The media are welcome to attend the presentation and may arrive between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. for individual interviews.

Twenty panel discussions are scheduled on the UIS campus on Friday, June 4, and Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a full list of topics, paper presenters, and times visit the conference’s website at www.sppc2010.org. These panels are free and open to the public with no registration required.

Contact information for Chris Mooney is 217/206-6573 or cmoon1@uis.edu and Barbara Ferrara at 217/206-7094 or bferr1@uis.edu.