FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2014
Contacts:
Sarah Lovenheim: Sarah.Lovenheim@younginvincibles.org, 585.746.8281
Tim Price: tprice@rooseveltinstitute.org, 212.493.3323
[CHICAGO] – Fifteen-hundred young adults from across Illinois are expected to attend a first-of-its-kind Convention next Saturday to vote on a state policy agenda for 2015 that reflects their generation’s interests ahead of Election Day, with candidates and elected officials watching.
The Convention marks the culmination of nearly 60 caucuses held by young Illinoisans this past summer who exchanged policy ideas under the umbrella of a new Millennial movement called NextGen Illinois. The movement, started by Young Invincibles and the Roosevelt Institute | Campus Network — in partnership with community organizations — drew more than 700 young adults to bars, community centers and parks to exchange ideas around issues, such as political reform, education and civil rights.
More than 50 young Illinoisans will present ideas that emerged at caucuses duringSaturday’s Convention and then attendees will vote on a cohesive ten-item policy agenda, designed to represent the top political priorities of young adults.
WHEN: Saturday, September 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: UIC Forum, 725 w Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Illinois 60607
WHO: 1500 Millennials, joined by elected officials, including Governor Pat Quinn
WHAT: Young Illinoisans vote on a state policy agenda for their generation
Governor Pat Quinn will give the keynote address, and his Republican opponent Bruce Rauner has been invited to speak as well. The Convention will also showcase local talent, with performances by local hip-hop artists FM Supreme and Controversial.
“Many critical issues that affect our generation, such as minimum wage reform and the cost of higher education, are at the center of upcoming midterm elections. NextGen Illinois is an unprecedented agenda-setting process, designed to mobilize and energize young adults to help shape the political future of our state,” said Eve Rips, Midwest Director of Young Invincibles.
Illinois Director for the Roosevelt Institute | Campus Network Brenna Conway said, “Illinois is a state plagued by its reputation for political corruption. As election season brings its troubled history to light, NextGen Illinois serves as a way to inject young positive voices into civic discourse and advance solutions for a government and political system that is open and responsive to all Illinoisans.”
“Young Illinoisans voted at disproportionately low rates during recent midterm election cycles, according to reports by CIRCLE, but the Convention has the potential to change this.” Young adults who would like to attend can register online here. Media who plan to attend or have questions should contact Sarah Lovenheim or Tim Price, using the contact information above.